Kathmandu: Surendra Bahadur Basnet, the founding Chairman of Buddha Air, passed away today at the age of 95. Buddha Air Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna informed that Basnet passed away this morning during treatment at Medicity Hospital in Lalitpur.
Born in Salma, Dingala, Bhojpur district, Basnet completed his studies from Banaras, India to LLB. Late Basnet, who played a leadership role in various high positions in the government, was a judge of the Supreme Court, the first Chief Commissioner of Nepal Election Commission, Minister of Law, Justice and Education (2024 BS), Minister of Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supply (2025 BS), and the founding President of Press Council Nepal
He also became a founding member of Nepal Bar Association. At the age of seventy years, he established Buddha Air and connected Nepal and Nepali to sky travel through air service. Basnet survived with two sons and one daughter. The eldest son Birendra Bahadur Basnet is now the Managing Director of Buddha Air. Basnet also made air flight easy and simple and opened it to the general public.
“Though we have lost a good parent, Buddha Air employees will always follow the path shown by him and move forward. Heartfelt tributes to our parent,” said a statement issued by Buddha Air.
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