Company profile
Buddha air
Team: Past
Looking at why
Buddha Air manages to
come out on top of Nepalese
aviation company but still strives
to provide better services to its ever
growing customers as well as its employees
History:
As Nepal emerged from centuries of isolation, the people were found in dire need
of basic facilities. Travel and transport were and still are a challenge to many
Nepalese. The differences in terrain from the flatlands of the terai, the rugged hills
and the tall mountains prove challenges when building proper transportation
facilities. However, as Nepal went through democratic reforms and the
liberalization of its economy, the private sector was encouraged to invest in public
infrastructure and services.
Surendra Bahadur Basnet, the Chairman and founder of Buddha Air, a retired
Supreme Court Justice, former Chief Election Commissioner and a minister in the
former government of Nepal came from a simple farming background. His passion
for serving the people whole heartedly remained unfettered even years after
retiring from public service. In 1994 his youngest son Shivendra Bahadur Basnet
had just returned from Ukraine after completing his training as a helicopter pilot.
Realizing the need and growing demand for air transport of which none could be
described as completely safe and trustworthy, the family decided to take a risk and
established Buddha Air. A brand new, just out of the factory Beech 1900D aircraft
was purchased from the US based Raytheon Aircraft (now Hawker Beechcraft) and
the operation began.
First Take Off
On 11 October 1997, Captain RK Sharma and American pilot Captain Kevin St. Germain flew
Buddha Air’s first batch of 16 passengers on flight BHA 100 on board the Beech craft 1900 D.
With the call sign 9N-AEE from Kathmandu’s domestic airport, flight BHA 100 took its hour
long flight to Mt Everest and back – an achievement no airlines had done in its maiden flight.
This helped to set confidence in Buddha Air in motion.
Services
Buddha Air envisions itself as the safest, most reliable and comfortable
means of transportation. From the moment any passenger books our
tickets, we ensure that our passengers get the best service.
All passengers are backed by third party, passenger baggage legal
liability insurance including bodily injury/ property damage claim of up
to US$ 60 million for Beech 1900, US$ 100 million for ATR42-320 and
US$ 150 million for ATR 72-500. In case of passengers travelling in
Buddha Air, we offer a provision of insurance claim of upto US$ 20,000
per passenger. Our aircraft are backed by Pratt & Whitney’s complete
fleet maintenance and manpower plan, which includes 100% quality
maintenance.
The insurance of Buddha Air is handled by the leading insurance broker
in the Lloyds market, K.M. Dastur and has the leading insurance
underwriter of the world, GIC-India.
Why Buddha Air?
Buddha Air provides flights to thirteen destinations within Nepal
and has its headquarters in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur.
We have comfortable buses that transport you from the terminal
to the aircraft.
In case of flight cancellation due to bad weather conditions, we
provide an immediate refund on demand.
Wheelchairs or portable oxygen cylinders can be arranged for
passengers with special needs. In case passengers need
emergency medical services we can arrange for ambulances
upon arrival at the destination.
Underage children traveling unaccompanied are especially
looked after by the airport staff in the terminal and by the flight
steward while in the aircraft.
All flights serve non-alcoholic drinks as well as the latest edition
of Yatra.
Passengers can join frequent flyer program with the Royal Club
and earn points. Royal Club offers several benefits to our valued
clients.
We also provide cargo services which are handled by the cargo
division.
Buddha Holidays is our very own travel and tour management
company dedicated to our clients, which can assist you in
planning and organizing your holiday trip in Nepal, and India.
Buddha Holidays also offers some exciting tour packages within
Nepal.
Insurance Policy
All passengers are backed by third party, passenger baggage legal liability
insurance including bodily injury/ property damage claim of up to US$ 60 million
for Beech 1900, US$ 100 million for ATR42-320 and US$ 150 million for
ATR72-500. In case of passengers travelling in Buddha Air, we offer a provision
of insurance claim of up to US$ 20,000 per passenger. Our aircraft are backed by
Pratt & Whitney's complete fleet maintenance and manpower plan, which includes
100% quality maintenance.
The insurance of Buddha Air is handled by Nepal's leading Insurance Company
Siddhartha Insurance with association with UK's leading insurance broker K.M.
Dastur, and leading insurance underwriter of the world, GIC-India and XL
Syndicate-UK.
All commanders have logged in at least 4000 flight hours in the Beechcraft and
over 8000 hours in total. The company has also established and obtained approval
of Beechcraft 1900 type rating training of the flight crew members and flight
dispatcher from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal with the objective of
keeping the crew updated in respect to the aircrafts. All Buddha Air crew members
have instrument rating endorsed in their license while cockpit and cabin crew
members are provided refresher courses on safety aspects of the flight and in
providing a comfortable flying experience to passengers.
Board of Promoters
Buddha Air is a family owned operation. There are three
proprietors (promoters) in the board, Chairman Mr.
Surendra Bahadur Basnet, Managing Director Mr.
Birendra Bahadur Basnet, and Promoter Mrs. Sunita
Sijapati Basnet.
Board Chairman Surendra Bahadur Basnet was born in Dingla, Bhojpur on
1 January 1929 into a simple Nepali family. After moving to Biratnagar
where he received his primary and higher secondary education he was sent
to the Varanasi Hindu University in India which was the custom of those
days. He completed his LLB, BSC and then his MA from the University
before returning to Nepal to practice law.
Mr. Basnet was appointed a judge in the Supreme Court of Nepal in 1964.
Two years later, the then King Mahendra appointed him the Election
Commissioner of Nepal with the responsibility of conducting the country’s
first general election. He was later appointed Minister of Education and Law
and the Minister for Finance and Industry. In 1970 he became the first
chairman of the Press Council of Nepal. He served in various government
commissions as chairman and/or a member until 1990. After more than
four decades of an illustrious career, Mr. Basnet retired from civil service to
manage his privately owned Bahumukhi Krishi Farm in Dangihat, (Morang).
However, not being one to lead an easy retired life, he formed Buddha Air
with his sons and has been leading the organization successfully as its
Chairman since 1996.
Birendra Bahadur Basnet, eldest son of Mr. Surendra Basnet was
born on 6 July 1964. He received his primary and secondary
education from Budhanilkantha High School where he inculcated
the fundamental values of life which he would implement in one
of Nepal’s most prestigious institutions. After finishing his
graduation from Tribhuvan University, he started working in his
father’s farm in Morang from 1984 to 1992.
He initiated Buddha Air together with his father, brother and wife,
and is successfully running the company as its Managing Director.
He is also a Board member of Shikhar Insurance Company since
2005 as well as of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal since
2008. He is an active member of his alumni association the
Society of Ex Budhanilkantha Students and was its General
Secretary in 1982 and an Executive Member in 1983. Having
come from an agricultural background he has initiated community
development through assistance to farmers in Morang, assisting
to establish a farmer’s cooperative there. He is married to Sunita
Sijapati Basnet.
Sunita Sijapati Basnet was born on 3 May 1966. She did her
Bachelor in Arts from the Tribhuvan University. She has been in
the Board since 2007.
Departments
Operations Department:
Headed by: Devendra Bahadur Basnet, Operation Director
Operation Director and Instructor Pilot The operations
department is responsible for flight safety, accident prevention
and training of the crew members. Two specialized divisions
have been created for enhancing safety and providing quality
training to crew members. The Chief of Flight Safety division is
responsible for flight safety and accident prevention programs
implementation. The Chief of training division is responsible for
training and implementing the timely recommendations of the
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and in-house flight safety
regulations.
Technical Department:
Headed by: Mohan Bahadur Thapa, Technical Director
Chief Engineer Buddha Air’s engineering department is one of the largest and the
strongest in the entire airline industry in Nepal. The department has 16 engineers,
29 technicians and 36 corporate staffs who serve as the backbone of the company.
These people are entrusted with the responsibility to maintain each aircraft in an
airworthy condition as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
(CAAN) and the aircraft operators manuals provided by the manufacturer. All
engineers are provided with periodical refresher training by aircraft manufacturers
and type rated there.
For assured rated effectiveness the department is subdivided into Maintenance,
Maintenance Planning, Workshop, Quality Assurance, Technical Records, Library,
Procurement and Stores. We have sufficient spare inventory worth US$ 3.5 million
to run the operation smoothly. This includes no go items like a spare engine, main
landing gear, nose landing gear, propellers, etc along with 100% availability of fast
moving items in our stock. A computerized Engineering and Inventory system
helps monitor and forecast maintenance an inventory schedules.
All our engineers are trained in the Raytheon Maintenance Training Center, Flight
Safety International, Wichita, USA, Pratt and Whitney Canada and the Singapore
Training Center. Buddha Air is the only airlines in Nepal qualified to carry out
NDT requirements. All maintenance is done in our very own workshop and our
state of the art hangar and workshop with an area of more than 37,000 sq ft.
Marketing, Sales & Ground handling
department:
Headed by: Rupesh Joshi, Director
The marketing department has played a vital role in generating market
confidence backed by service you can trust. Surviving today’s cut throat
competition would not have been possible without the 124 marketing
staffs dedicated for reservation, front line marketing, attendants or
loaders, the sales department, public relations and in corporate
marketing. In addition there are a total of 98 employees in the sales
offices located in Biratnagar, Dharan, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj,
Bhadrapur, Janakpur, Simara, Bharatpur, and Dhangadhi.
Buddha Air’s marketing department has worked hard to ensure that
passengers get the best service. We welcome feedbacks which are
looked upon very attentively. We also regularly interact with tour and
travel operators with the objective of making travel as safe, reliable, and
comfortable as possible.
Fleet Information/Specification
Buddha Air began with 1 Beech 1900 D and now has 10 best
aircrafts. Buddha Air prides itself in maintaining safety as the
highest priority and has always bought brand new aircrafts in
line with this policy. At the moment Buddha Air owns a fleet of
two Beechcraft 1900D, three ATR 42 -320 (Avions de Transport
Régional or Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) and five ATR 72-
500.
Fleet Specifications
Year of Aircraft Reg.
Aircraft Engine Model MSN MTOW Date of Operation
Manufacture No.
PWC PT6A- UE- 17,120 September 30,
B1900D 1997 9N-AEE
67D 286 LBS 1997
PWC PT6A- UE- 17,120 September 28,
B1900D 1998 9N-AEW
67D 328 LBS 1998
ATR 42- September 20,
PWC PW121 1995 9N-AIM 388 16700 KG
320 2008
ATR 42- September 17
PWC PW121 1995 9N-AIN 403 16700 KG
320 2008
ATR 42- PWC PW121 1996 9N-AIT 409 16700 KG May 14, 2009
Year of Aircraft Reg.
Aircraft Engine Model MSN MTOW Date of Operation
Manufacture No.
320
ATR 72-
PW127F/M 1997 9N-AJO 535 22500 KG July 2, 2010
500
ATR 72-
PW127F/M 1997 9N-AJS 531 22500 KG Sept. 1, 2011
500
ATR 72- September 26,
PW127F/M 1999 9N-AJX 578 22500 KG
500 2012
ATR 72-
PW127F/M 2006 9N-AMD 735 22500 KG March 4, 2017
500
ATR 72-
PW127F/M 2007 9N-AMF 764 22500 KG March 02, 2018
500
Awards won by Buddha Air
1. The government of Nepal(Highest Income Tax Payer in Aviation
Tourism Sector 2014)
2. IPMA project excellence award(2014)
3. The government of Nepal(Highest Income Tax Payer in Aviation
Tourism Sector 2012)
4. Pratt & Whitney, Canada Corporation
5. Government of Nepal, Ministry of Culture(Safety and Security – First
and Always the Top Priority 2006)
6. Pacific Asia Travel Association(2000, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2006/07)
7. United Nations World Tourism Day(2001,2003,2004,2005)
8. Pacific Asia Travel Association, Nepal Chapter(2000)
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