Danfe Airlines Prepares For Nepal Launch After Rebranding Makalu Air

KATHMANDU, August 3 — Nepal’s domestic aviation market is preparing for a new carrier as Danfe Airlines moves ahead with plans to start scheduled commercial flights after acquiring and rebranding Makalu Air, a former small aircraft operator known for charter and cargo services in remote Nepal.

Danfe Airlines says its story is directly linked to Makalu Air. According to the company’s official website, the founders first met in Norway in 2012 during an aircraft sales and maintenance mission for Makalu Air. In 2023, the founders acquired Makalu Air and began rebranding and expanding the company under the name Danfe Airlines.

From Makalu Air To Danfe Airlines

Makalu Air had operated as a Nepal-based carrier using small aircraft for charter passenger and cargo flights. Makalu Air is a Nepalgunj-based company providing chartered passenger and cargo services with Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft.

Makalu Air’s past operations were closely connected with Nepal’s difficult mountain aviation network. Aviation Safety Network records show that a Makalu Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was operating a domestic cargo flight from Surkhet to Simikot when it crashed near Simikot in May 2018, killing both crew members, according to the reports.

Danfe Airlines is now being built on that old aviation foundation, but with a different business model. Instead of continuing only as a small charter and cargo operator, the new management is preparing to operate larger regional passenger aircraft on domestic routes.

CAAN NOC Obtained, Final Certification Still Ahead

Danfe Airlines has received a No Objection Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, allowing the company to move ahead with aircraft acquisition and required operational preparations. NOC is part of Nepal’s airline certification process and allows the company to proceed toward aircraft acquisition and demonstration flights before obtaining its final Air Operator Certificate.

This means Danfe has not simply received permission to start regular passenger flights immediately. The airline still needs to complete technical, operational and regulatory steps before commercial flights can begin.

According to reports, the company has started work on aircraft procurement, pilot recruitment and staffing arrangements as part of its pre-launch preparations.

ATR 72-600 Aircraft Planned

Danfe Airlines plans to introduce ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft for its passenger operations. The company’s official website says it intends to introduce six ATR 72-600 aircraft and operate trunk routes within Nepal and to nearby destinations.

For the initial phase, multiple reports say the airline is preparing to start with three ATR 72-600 aircraft. Reports also suggest that Danfe is working toward launching with three aircraft before Dashain.

The ATR 72-600 is a regional turboprop aircraft widely used for short and medium domestic routes. ATR’s official information says the aircraft can seat up to 78 passengers and is designed as a fuel-efficient regional aircraft. ATR also says the -600 series features a full glass cockpit with modern avionics.

Pokhara Chosen As Main Base

Danfe Airlines plans to base its operations in Pokhara, a move that could reduce the heavy Kathmandu-centered structure of Nepal’s domestic aviation network.

The airline has chosen Pokhara as its primary operating base, with plans to operate direct flights from Pokhara to selected regional destinations. The Pokhara base is important because most domestic air connectivity in Nepal still depends heavily on Kathmandu. If Danfe successfully operates from Pokhara, it could create more direct regional links for passengers who currently need to travel through the capital for many domestic routes.

Routes Still Depend On Final Approval

Public reports show that Danfe has proposed flights to several domestic destinations, but final operations will depend on certification, aircraft arrival, regulatory approval and commercial readiness.

Among the destinations reported are Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa and Simara. Reports also suggest the plans for flights from Pokhara to Bharatpur and Mahendranagar, while some listed other major destinations including Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Biratnagar, Janakpur and Tumlingtar.

Since the route lists vary across reports, the final confirmed network should be treated as pending until the airline officially publishes its schedule and receives all required approvals.

Targeting Dashain Launch

Danfe Airlines is targeting the Dashain travel season for the start of regular commercial operations. Some sources reported that the airline is preparing to launch around the festive season, while others reported that Danfe aims to complete certification procedures and begin scheduled flights by Dashain 2083.

Dashain is one of Nepal’s busiest travel periods, when demand for domestic flights usually rises sharply as people travel to their hometowns and major cities. A new airline entering the market around that period could add capacity and increase competition if preparations are completed on time.

What Danfe Could Change In Nepal’s Domestic Aviation

Danfe’s entry could bring a new competitor into a market currently served by established domestic airlines. Danfe’s arrival is expected to increase competition with carriers such as Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines.

The airline is also positioning itself around passenger comfort and improved service. Danfe’s official website says it plans to focus on safety, comfort, on-time performance and a boutique passenger experience.

However, the airline’s success will depend on more than branding. It must complete certification, bring aircraft into operation, recruit and train crews, finalize routes, meet CAAN safety requirements and prove that a Pokhara-based network can attract enough passengers.

A New Chapter Built On An Old Carrier

The transformation from Makalu Air to Danfe Airlines marks a shift from a small charter and cargo-focused aviation company toward a larger scheduled passenger airline.

Makalu Air’s history was tied to remote aviation and difficult mountain routes. Danfe Airlines is now trying to use that existing aviation base to build a modern regional carrier with ATR 72-600 aircraft and a Pokhara-centered domestic network.

If the airline completes its remaining regulatory and operational steps, Danfe could become one of the most watched new entrants in Nepal’s aviation sector ahead of the Dashain travel season.