The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has directed the country's domestic airlines to be operating a minimum of five aircraft, up from three currently, by February 2029 or face losing their air operator's certificates (AOCs). Noting that operating with a single aircraft poses significant safety risks, particularly during emergencies when backup support is unavailable, the regulator says airlines have the option of increasing their fleet sizes or merging with other carriers. Under-capitalised airlines also often struggle with financial instability, it added.

The directive comes two years after CAAN launched a safety audit of the country's airlines following the crash of a CRJ200ER of Saurya Airlines at Kathmandu in July 2024.