Himalaya Airlines will inaugurate a new direct flight between Kathmandu and Hangzhou on September 30, 2026, while resuming its Kathmandu–Shanghai service on September 28, marking an expansion of its China network and air connectivity between Nepal and China.
The Kathmandu–Hangzhou route will operate twice weekly, with outbound flights (flight H9225) departing Kathmandu every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:15 pm, arriving in Hangzhou at 1:05 am the following day. Return flights (H9226) will leave Hangzhou Mondays and Thursdays at 2:05 am, arriving in Kathmandu by 6:20 am the same day. The Kathmandu–Shanghai service will also run twice weekly initially, with Kathmandu
departures on Mondays and Fridays, and Shanghai returns on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, features three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the West Lake Cultural Landscape, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. Shanghai is China’s largest city and a major global financial center. Himalaya Airlines will be the first and only airline operating the direct Kathmandu–Hangzhou route and the sole operator of direct scheduled flights on the Kathmandu–Shanghai sector after service resumes.
These new and resumed routes align with Himalaya Airlines’ strategy to connect ten major tourism and economic hubs in China.
The airline aims to boost inbound Chinese tourism to Nepal, targeting a long-term goal of attracting one million Chinese visitors.
Vijay Shrestha, Vice-President of Himalaya Airlines, described the launches as a continuation of the carrier’s role in linking Nepal and China for trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to connecting culturally and economically important cities while maintaining high standards of safety and service.
The new flights also coincide with the start of Nepal’s peak autumn tourism season. These additions are expected to enhance flight options, expand connectivity between Nepal and China, and support inbound tourism and Nepal’s
hospitality sector.
