KATHMANDU, 22 July 2026: Himalaya Airlines, home-based in Kathmandu, Nepal, has launched flights between Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu, and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX), Shenzhen.

Himalaya Airlines is the first commercial carrier to operate a direct scheduled flight on the Kathmandu–Shenzhen–Kathmandu route, creating a new air corridor between Nepal and one of China’s most dynamic economic and technological centres.

Himalaya made the historic takeoff for Shenzhen with flight number (H9 985) at 0959 (Nepali local time) with 98 passengers onboard, which landed in Shenzhen at 0417 (Chinese local time) on 5 June.

Shenzhen, widely regarded as China’s Silicon Valley and officially recognised as the country’s first special economic zone, is a global hub for technology, manufacturing, finance, and innovation. It is home to leading technology corporations and a rapidly growing base of outbound travellers and business professionals. The establishment of a direct air connection between Kathmandu and Shenzhen represents a significant step forward in Nepal–China bilateral relations and people-to-people connectivity.

Himalaya Airlines operates twice-weekly frequencies on the Kathmandu–Shenzhen–Kathmandu sector, departing from the Nepalese capital on Tuesday and Thursday, with the return flights from Shenzhen operating every Wednesday and Friday.

Flight schedule

H9885 departs Kathmandu at 2150 (KTM) and arrives in Shenzhen (SZX) at 0430.
H9886 departs Shenzhen (SZX) at 0555 and arrives in Kathmandu (KTM) at 0835.

Using an A320 with 180 seats, the flight time is four hours and 25 minutes.

(Source: Himalaya Airlines)

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 July 2026: Preliminary financial performance figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) at the weekend indicated Asia Pacific airlines achieved USD12.1 billion in combined net profits in 2025, driven by firm passenger and cargo demand, while lower fuel prices helped offset cost pressures arising from ongoing supply chain disruptions.

For the year, Asia Pacific airlines recorded USD223.7 billion in aggregated operating revenue, a 4.3% increase from USD214.5 billion in 2024. Passenger revenue rose by 4.7% to USD178.4 billion, driven by healthy growth in passenger traffic, which helped offset the impact of a 2.8% decline in passenger yields to 7.8 US cents per RPK. Cargo revenue increased by 1.4% to USD23.6 billion, despite weakness in freight rates, as reflected in a 2.0% fall in cargo yields to 32.1 US cents per FTK.

Amid positive global economic conditions last year, the region recorded a 7.7% increase in systemwide passenger demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), with both long-haul and intra-regional travel remaining buoyant. Systemwide air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), rose by 3.5%, supported by front-loading activities ahead of tariff hikes, as airlines responded swiftly to evolving trade flows.

Combined operating expenses increased by 4.3% to USD209.4 billion for the year, led by a 7.8% jump in non-fuel costs to USD151.1 billion. Ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures contributed to higher expenditure on staff, leasing, maintenance and airport charges. By contrast, fuel expenditure declined by 3.7% to USD58.3 billion, reflecting a 9.5% fall in global jet fuel prices to an average of USD88.8 per barrel. As a result, the share of fuel expenditure as a percentage of total operating costs decreased by 2.3 percentage points to 27.8% in 2025.

Commenting on the financial results, AAPA Director General Wong Hong said: “Asia Pacific airlines entered 2025 from a position of strength, with robust passenger and cargo demand supporting another year of profitable growth. While easing fuel prices provided some relief, persistent supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures pushed non-fuel operating costs higher. Despite these headwinds, the region’s carriers maintained operating margins at 6.4%, reflecting continued operational discipline and nimbleness in responding to evolving market conditions.”

Wong Hong added: “Although the region’s carriers remain on a solid footing, the challenging operating environment of the past few months shows no sign of abating. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, together with broader geopolitical tensions, is likely to contribute to continued volatility in oil and currency markets.”

“Airlines are facing a persistently high operating cost environment, exacerbated by a sharp increase in jet fuel prices. Consequently, fuel expenditure, the largest single operating cost item for airlines, is expected to rise this year.”

Looking ahead, he concluded: “Increasing cost pressures may weigh on consumer spending and business sentiment in the coming months. Nevertheless, the outlook remains broadly positive, as passenger and air cargo markets are currently holding firm, supported by 4.4%1 growth in the region’s economy this year. Asia Pacific carriers continue to expand their networks and service offerings, while maintaining strict cost controls in a challenging operating environment.”

(Source: AAPA)