Himalaya Airlines will begin operating a new direct flight route between Kathmandu, Nepal, and Hangzhou, China, on September 30, 2026. The airline will serve this route twice weekly as the first and only carrier to provide scheduled direct service between these two cities.
Concurrently, Himalaya Airlines will restart its Kathmandu–Shanghai direct service on September 28, 2026. This route will also operate twice weekly initially, reestablishing a key air link between Nepal’s capital and Shanghai, China’s largest city and financial hub.
Flight Schedules for Kathmandu–Hangzhou and Kathmandu–Shanghai
The Kathmandu–Hangzhou flights will depart Kathmandu twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays at 5:15 pm via flight H9225, arriving
in Hangzhou at 1:05 am the following day. The return flights, H9226, will leave Hangzhou at 2:05 am on Mondays and Thursdays, landing in Kathmandu at 6:20 am the same day.
For the Kathmandu–Shanghai route, outbound flights from Kathmandu are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays. Return flights from Shanghai will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, maintaining the twice-weekly service pattern as the route restarts.
Significance of the Hangzhou and Shanghai Connections
Hangzhou, as the capital of Zhejiang province, is notable for three UNESCO World Heritage locations: West Lake Cultural Landscape, Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. This new route connects Kathmandu directly to a
city recognized for its rich cultural and historical significance.
The Kathmandu–Shanghai service links Nepal with China’s largest metropolis and a global financial center, enhancing strategic connectivity that is vital for Nepal-China relations.
Strategic Intent and Sector Impact
Vijay Shrestha, Vice-President of Himalaya Airlines, emphasized the carrier’s role in pioneering routes to China ahead of typical market trends, aiming to serve as a bridge for trade and tourism between the two countries. The launch of the Hangzhou route and the resumption of the Shanghai flight reflect the airline’s ongoing commitment to connect economically and culturally significant cities while providing quality travel experiences.
These routes are part
of Himalaya Airlines’ broader plan to link ten major Chinese tourism and economic hubs directly. The airline targets attracting up to one million Chinese tourists to Nepal as part of its long-term strategy. Both routes commence operations at the start of Nepal’s peak autumn tourism season and are expected to support the inbound tourism and hospitality sectors during the country’s economic recovery.
