Kathmandu, June 1: Himalaya Airlines to Commence Historic Direct Flight Service on the Kathmandu–Shenzhen–Kathmandu Route
KATHMANDU, NEPAL – Himalaya Airlines (IATA: H9), Nepal’s international airline, is pleased to announce the commencement of its direct scheduled flight service between Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX), Shenzhen on June 4, 2026 (Wednesday).
With the inaugural service, Himalaya Airlines will become the first and only commercial carrier in the history of civil aviation to operate a direct scheduled flight on the Kathmandu–Shenzhen–Kathmandu sector. The operation will establish a new and strategically significant air corridor between Nepal and one of China’s most dynamic economic and technological centers.
Shenzhen, widely regarded as China’s Silicon Valley and officially recognized as the country’s first Special Economic Zone, is a global hub for technology, manufacturing, finance, and innovation. Known as the Future City, Shenzhen is home to leading technology corporations and a rapidly growing base of outbound travellers and business professionals. The establishment of a direct air connection between Kathmandu and Shenzhen represents a significant step forward in Nepal–China bilateral relations and people-to-people connectivity.
The timing of this launch carries additional strategic value. Commencing in the early summer season — traditionally a lean period for Nepal’s tourism industry — this route is expected to provide a meaningful boost to inbound tourism and hospitality-related sectors, contributing positively to Nepal’s broader economic recovery and growth objectives.
Himalaya Airlines will initially operate two weekly frequencies on the Kathmandu–Shenzhen–Kathmandu sector. Outbound flights from Kathmandu will depart every Tuesday and Thursday, with return flights from Shenzhen operating every Wednesday and Friday. The airline has confirmed plans to review and increase operational frequency in response to passenger demand and load factors.
| Sector | Effective Dates | Days | Departure | Arrival |
| KTM-SZX | 4th Jun-30th Jun | Tuesday, Thursday | 21:50 | 04:30+1 |
| SZX-KTM | 5th Jun-1st Jul | Wednesday, Friday | 05:55 | 08:35 |
Note: All times are local and +1 denotes next day.
Mr Vijay Shrestha, Vice-President of Himalaya Airlines, expressed his enthusiasm for the newly launched route, stating, “Himalaya Airlines has always pioneered trailblazing and new routes to China, leading the way ahead of conventional market trends. The introduction of the Kathmandu–Shenzhen service is a testament to that commitment. With this route, Himalaya Airlines aims to create memorable travel experiences while upholding the highest standards of safety and service quality. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and facilitating the discovery of the extraordinary beauty and opportunities that both Nepal and China have to offer.”
Passengers can book their tickets for the Kathmandu-Shenzhen-Kathmandu flights from Himalaya Airlines’ ticketing counters, authorised travel partners, as well as from the airline’s official website: www.himalaya-airlines.com and the Himalaya Airlines Mobile Application.
About Himalaya Airlines Pvt. Ltd.
Himalaya Airlines (H9) is a Nepal-China joint venture International Airlines, established in 2014 with two complimenting objectives: to promote people-to-people contact between Nepal and other countries, as well as to boost Nepal’s trade and tourism industries. The joint venture alliance is between Tibetan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Company Ltd. (TCADIC) and Yeti World Investment Pvt. Ltd.
H9 young fleet consists of total 4 aircraft: three Airbus 320-214 (180 all-economy seats) and one Airbus 319-115 (144 all economy seats). H9 is currently operating passenger flights to prominent countries of Middle East & South Asia: UAE, Malaysia, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bangladesh & China sectors.
H9 received an international award for being the “Leading New International Airlines in South Asia” in its very first year of operation at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2017. In 2020, it received its first ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification showing its competence in aircraft maintenance and engineering services. On December 29, 2021, H9 became the first airline in Nepal to achieve ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification for “Providing Air Transport for Travelling Passengers and Freight, including Aviation Related Training Services”. The certification highlights H9’s commitment to quality and its dedication to high performance work practices. On December 28, 2023, H9 became the first and the only airline in Nepal to be certified as an IOSA Operator and registered as an IATA member airline.
Starting September 2021, H9 introduced Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), a life-saving device onboard all its fleet. With this, H9 stands to be the first ever and the only Nepalese airlines to carry AEDs onboard. With the aim to excel in safety, On Time Performance (OTP) and most primarily, in service to its customers, H9 has established itself as a trusted airline of choice and aspires to rise as a leading airline in South Asia.
