September 23: Yeti Airlines, which started commercial flights in Nepal from 1998, celebrated its 24th anniversary on Wednesday. Yeti, which started its service with two Twin Otter aircraft, has served more than 1 million passengers in a single year with five aircraft last year.

The private airline company of Nepal recently added one aircraft to its fleet and now has six aircraft. The company plans to add another aircraft this year. The company’s spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula informed that the company plans to improve the quality of service rather than adding destinations and aircraft.

In just one year, Yeti flew 15,925 times and served 1.5 million passengers. According to the company, there were 27,663 foreigners among the passengers. During this period, 154,287 kg of cargo and couriers were also transported by the company. Yeti, which received permit for commercial flights from the then aviation department in May 1998, started its service on September 21 that year.

During all these years of operation, Yeti has provided its services through over 40 aircraft including DHC-6 300 Twin Otter, Dornier 220, Y-12, EMB-110, EMB-120, Saab-340B, Pilatus Porter PC-6, Jetstream J-41, DHC-6-400 Twin Otter and ATR-72-500. Currently, the company owns six aircraft of ATR series, some of which are operated by its sister company Tara Air.

The company, which employs 730 people, claims that it has produced a lot of manpower for air services in Nepal.

 “In this 24-year journey, the joint contribution of diligent and honest employees and investors and the founding managing director, Ang Chiring Sherpa's guidance is unforgettable,” said Bartaula. Yeti is currently operating flights to Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Jomsom, Lukla, Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Phaplu, Simra and Ilam, making Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) its base. The company has also been operating travel packages to important tourist destinations.