Airliners in Nepal: Do you know about Yeti Airlines? (Photo Feature)
December 20, 2016-KATHMANDU
History and Introduction
Yeti Airlines which is one of the largest domestic carriers of Nepal, goes 18 years back founded on 1st of May, 1998. The airline company received its first Air Operation Certificate (AOC) and started operating on domestic routes with its newly made De- Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters aircraft.
Right now, the company consists of the total number of seven BAe Jetstream 41 aircraft in its fleet. It also conducts flights through its sister company, Tara Air which provides services in the remote areas of Nepal. In total, Yeti Airlines serves in 29 destinations across the country with scheduled and unscheduled flights.
The company has also been awarded by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as the ISSA Operator in Nepal. The company has been involved in health, social empowerment and education areas through financial aids and direct participation in social works.
Some Accidents and Crashes
On 25 May 2004, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 operated by Yeti Air, ‘9N-AFD’, enroute from Kathmandu to Lukla crashed into the Lamjura hill with 3 fatalities. The reson behind the accident was cited as pilot error.
On 21 June 2006, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 operated by Yeti Air, ‘9N-AEQ’ en route from Surkhet to Jumla crashed near 0,5 km (0.3 mls) East of Jumla Airport with 9 fatalities.
On 8 October 2008, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 operated by Yeti Air, ‘9N-AFE’ en route from Kathmandu to Lukla when the aircraft contacted rocks near the runway, crashed and caught fire with 18 fatalities. The cause for this accident was also cited as pilot error.
Future Plans
In future, the airlines aims to bring new ATR aircraft while its subsidiary company; Tara Air aims to bring in three Twin Otters to operate in the country.