Himalaya Airlines (H9, Kathmandu) has reportedly leased a Jetstream 41 from Yeti Airlines (YT, Kathmandu) with plans to use the aircraft on proving flights to either Bhutan or India. The flights are pre-requisite for the start-up to secure its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

As such, Himalaya Airways plans to use the Jetstream 41 to offer charter flights to Bhutan and India initially before leasing three A320 Family jets for use in opening up flights from Kathmandu to Chengdu Shuangliu and Lhasa in China. Thereafter, two more A320s are expected next year.

Backed by NPR2.43billion (USD25million) in start-up capital, Himalaya Airlines is a 51/49 joint-venture between China's Tibet Airlines (TV, Lhasa) and a consortium of Nepali investors which includes the Himalayan Infrastructure Fund (HIF) and Yeti World Investment, which is affiliated to Yeti Airlines and Tara Air (Kathmandu).

The carrier had planned to begin flights in late October 2014 but was thwarted by insufficient paperwork.