Himalaya Airlines faces possible loss of flight permit over unpaid fees

Himalaya Airlines is in serious financial trouble, and unpaid fees to Nepal's civil aviation authority are putting its operating permit at risk.

Since it was founded, the carrier says it has accumulated losses of about 15 billion Nepalese rupees, roughly 90 million euros. It also owes the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal around 629 million rupees, or about 3.8 million euros, according to the airline. The outstanding payments could put its continued flight operations at risk.

The debts cover landing and parking charges, air navigation services and passenger fees. About 440 million rupees of the total is charges the airline collected from passengers through ticket sales but did not pass on to the authorities.

Himalaya Airlines blames the financial strain on sharply higher fuel prices, increased airport and passenger fees, and repeated disruptions to its operations. According to the carrier, those disruptions include pandemic-related restrictions, construction work at Kathmandu airport, political unrest and natural disasters.