Asian Airlines

Asian Airlines (also known as Asian Airlines Helicopter[1]) was a helicopter airline based at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal founded by Ang Tshering Sherpa in 1993.[4] It claims to be the first helicopter airline of Nepal.[5] It ceased to operate in 2006.

Not to be confused with AirAsia, Asia Airways, or Asiana Airlines.
"Asian airlines" redirects here. For a list of Asian airlines, see List of airlines of Asia.
Asian Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
— — —
FoundedNovember 1993[1]
AOC #004/96[2]
HubsTribhuvan International Airport
HeadquartersThamel, Kathmandu, Nepal[3]

History

Asian Airlines was founded after the deregulation of the Nepalese Aviation sector.[6] According to Tashi Sherpa, Managing Director of Asian Airlines, the airline wanted to start fixed wing operations but the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation urged the airlines to operate helicopters.[6] The first flight of the airline was delayed, as the delivery of its first two helicopters was stuck at Jinnah International Airport for over a month, as Nepalese Authorities were hesitant on allowing Russian-built aircraft in Nepal.[4]

Fleet

The airline operated a fleet of MI-17 helicopters.[7]

Accidents and incidents
  • On 20 February 2002, during the Nepalese Civil War, members of the People's Liberation Army, Nepal destroyed a MI-17 belonging to Asian Airlines in Surkhet.[8][9]
  • On 31 May 2002, a MI-17 belonging to Asian Airlines went missing en route from Makalu Base Camp to Lukla Airport with ten people on board.[10] A week-long aerial search with the airline investing NPRs. 20 million for the missing aircraft failed to locate it.[11]

References
  1. "Asian Airlines Helicopter". Archived from the original on 2 August 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  2. "Civil Aviation Report 2009-2010" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  3. "Contact". Asian Airlines. Archived from the original on 14 June 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  4. Rana, Ujeena. "On Top of The World – Ang Tshering Sherpa". Business 360. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  5. Rana, Ujeena. "On Top of The World – Ang Tshering Sherpa". Business 360. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  6. "Here come the Flying Trucks". Nepali Times. 12 January 2001. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  7. Russian Climb retrieved 19 November 2006
  8. "Soviet Transport Database". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  9. "Terror insurance". Nepali Times. 29 March 2002. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  10. "Where is Charlie Uniform?". Nepali Times. 11 April 2002. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  11. "Satellites to the rescue". Nepali Times. 5 July 2002. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
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