Buddha Air retires ATR-72 after 16 years

KATHMANDU: Buddha Air has officially retired its ATR-72 aircraft bearing the call sign 9N-AJO after reaching its full operational life.

The ATR-72, which has a maximum lifespan of 72,000 cycles—a term denoting one takeoff and one landing—made its final journey on 9 March 2026, flying from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu.

The aircraft had been in commercial service since 2 July 2010, carrying a total of 2,482,772 passengers over 16 years.

At the farewell ceremony, Buddha Air’s Executive Chair, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, expressed his emotions, saying, “This aircraft significantly contributed to making air travel in Nepal more convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. It played a pivotal role in expanding Buddha Air’s network and presence. We are proud to have operated the ATR aircraft to its full service life—a historic milestone for us.”

Teknath Sitaula, General Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, highlighted the airline’s dedication to flight safety and maintenance, noting that these standards made the successful retirement of the ATR-72 possible.

Stefano Marazzani, Senior Vice Chair of ATR, praised the longstanding partnership, stating, “This aircraft, designed and manufactured by ATR, has safely served until its final flight thanks to skilled hands, optimal operational conditions, and top-tier technical systems. It stands as a testament to Buddha Air’s unwavering commitment to safety.”

Buddha Air previously retired its ATR-42 aircraft on 10 Sept 2024.

The airline operates domestic flights across Nepal, including direct services from Pokhara to Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, and Bharatpur, and international flights to Varanasi and Kolkata in India.