Saurya Airlines
A Nepalese domestic airline based in Kathmandu that operated Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jets.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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History
Saurya Airlines developed as a Nepalese domestic carrier using small regional jets. Its first Bombardier CRJ-200 was acquired on 18 August 2014, but lengthy paperwork kept the aircraft grounded for nearly three months. The airline commenced operations on 17 November 2014 with a mountain flight and a return service between Kathmandu and Biratnagar. It later added daily flights to Bhadrapur, while a Nepalgunj route introduced on 22 June 2015 was eventually discontinued. The company faced an early regulatory limitation because its fleet was below the minimum required for a scheduled passenger operator. At the beginning of 2016, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal required Saurya Airlines to conduct charter operations rather than ordinary scheduled services. The airline continued serving passengers through scheduled charter flights and recorded 90,205 passengers during 2016. In March 2017, it acquired a second CRJ-200 and regained its scheduled-flight certificate. The second aircraft, registered 9N-AME, was given a Tata Tiago livery under a commercial agreement with Sipradi Trading. This made Saurya the first Nepalese fixed-wing airline identified in the supplied reference as having an international trademark on its aircraft livery. Financial and ownership developments became important parts of the airline's later history. In 2018, Tribhuvan International Airport grounded Saurya Airlines over reported unpaid service charges totaling 30 million Nepalese rupees. The company settled the dues in March 2019 and resumed flights. The same period saw changes in ownership: in 2018 the airline was reportedly sold to a group of non-resident Nepalis for 320 million Nepalese rupees, and in 2019 India's Kuber Group reportedly acquired it for 630 million Nepalese rupees. In July 2021, reports suggested a possible rebrand as Kuber Airlines, although the available reference does not verify that the change took place. The airline's most consequential event occurred on 24 July 2024. A Saurya Airlines CRJ-200, registered 9N-AME, crashed during takeoff from Kathmandu while operating a special flight to a maintenance facility. Nineteen people were aboard, and all except the captain were killed. The fatalities included 18 company employees and much of the airline's senior management. On the following day, Saurya Airlines suspended all flights because it no longer had an available aircraft and lacked sufficient skilled personnel. Its certification to operate was subsequently suspended. A report dated 12 February 2026 stated that the airline had been approved to restart operations. The available source material does not establish whether commercial flights had actually recommenced, what fleet would be used, or whether the carrier had returned to its earlier scheduled network. The airline's present operational status therefore remains uncertain.
- 2026
Reported approval to restart
[1]A report stated that the airline had received approval to restart flight operations, without confirming an actual return to service.
- 2024
Fatal Kathmandu crash
[1]A CRJ-200 crashed during takeoff on a special maintenance flight, killing 18 of the 19 people aboard.
- 2019
Operations resume
[1]Saurya Airlines reportedly settled its airport dues and restarted flights.
- 2018
Operations grounded over airport debt
[1]Tribhuvan International Airport grounded the airline over reported unpaid service charges.
- 2017
Second CRJ-200 added
[1]A second CRJ-200 enabled the airline to regain its scheduled-flight certificate.
- 2016
Charter-only regulatory period
[1]The carrier was restricted to charter operations because it did not meet the minimum fleet requirement for scheduled passenger service.
- 2015
Nepalgunj route launched
[1]Saurya introduced service to Nepalgunj, a route that was later discontinued.
- 2014
First CRJ-200 acquired
[1]Saurya Airlines acquired its first Bombardier CRJ-200 on 18 August.
- 2014
Commercial operations begin
[1]The airline began operating on 17 November with a mountain flight and a Kathmandu–Biratnagar round trip.
Products and positioning
A small Nepalese domestic airline positioned around regional-jet connectivity between Kathmandu and selected cities in Nepal.
Air transport · 2014
Domestic scheduled passenger flights
Saurya Airlines operated domestic passenger services within Nepal from its Kathmandu hub. Its network included destinations such as Biratnagar and Bhadrapur, with services designed for short regional sectors using Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft.
Air transport · 2016
Scheduled charter flights
During 2016, regulatory rules prevented Saurya Airlines from operating as a conventional scheduled carrier because its fleet was too small. It continued carrying passengers through scheduled charter flights, allowing it to maintain domestic service while working toward restoration of its scheduled-flight authorization.
Sightseeing aviation · 2014
Mountain flights
The airline's first reported operation included a mountain flight. This represented a sightseeing-oriented use of its regional aircraft alongside ordinary point-to-point domestic service.
Aircraft fleet · 2014
Bombardier CRJ-200 operations
The CRJ-200 was the defining aircraft type in Saurya Airlines' operating history. The carrier became the first airline in Nepal to operate the Canadair Regional Jet and used the type for domestic regional routes. The available material does not confirm the current fleet after the 2024 crash and later suspension.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Tata Tiago aircraft-livery partnership
Nepal
Aircraft 9N-AME was painted in a Tata Tiago livery under an agreement with Sipradi Trading, placing an international automotive trademark on a Nepalese fixed-wing aircraft.
Outcome. The arrangement was presented as a first for a Nepalese fixed-wing airline.
Brand decisions
2024
Suspend all flights after fatal crashOtherBackground
A CRJ-200 crashed during takeoff on a special flight to a maintenance facility, killing 18 of the 19 people aboard.
Action taken
Saurya Airlines suspended all flights because it lacked both an available aircraft and sufficient skilled personnel; its operating certification was subsequently suspended.
Aftermath
A later report said the airline had been approved to restart operations in February 2026, but the available material does not confirm that flights resumed.
2019
Resume flying after airport dues were clearedOtherBackground
Tribhuvan International Airport had grounded the airline in 2018 over reported unpaid service charges.
Action taken
The carrier reportedly paid the outstanding airport charges and restarted flight operations in March.
Aftermath
Operations resumed, although the airline later faced a more serious interruption following the 2024 crash.
Reported airport service-charge arrears. 30 million Nepalese rupees (2018–March 2019)
2017
Add a second CRJ-200Product launchBackground
The airline needed to expand its fleet to satisfy the minimum requirement for scheduled passenger operations.
Action taken
Saurya Airlines added a second Bombardier CRJ-200 and resumed authorized scheduled operations.
Aftermath
The additional aircraft supported restoration of the airline's scheduled-flight certificate.
2016
Continue passenger service through scheduled chartersStrategyBackground
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal restricted Saurya Airlines to charter operations because its fleet did not meet the minimum requirement for a scheduled passenger carrier.
Action taken
The airline continued serving passengers using scheduled charter flights while operating below the required fleet threshold.
Aftermath
After adding a second CRJ-200 in March 2017, the carrier regained its certificate to operate scheduled flights.
Sources1 sources
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