World’s First ATR‑72 Aircraft Retired — Buddha Air’s 9N‑AJO Makes Final Flight

Kathmandu.

Buddha Air has officially retired its historic ATR‑72 aircraft with the registration 9N‑AJO after more than 16 years of service.
The ATR‑72, one of the airline’s main regional planes, was formally bid farewell after completing its full operational life. Its last commercial flight took place on 9 March 2026, flying from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu. Over its 16‑year service, the aircraft carried about 2,482,772 passengers. Buddha Air’s executive chairman Birendra Bahadur Basnet highlighted that the ATR‑72 contributed significantly to making air travel in Nepal more accessible, affordable, and environmentally friendly, while also helping the airline expand its market reach. Officials from Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority praised Buddha Air’s commitment to air safety and aircraft maintenance, which helped the plane serve reliably until retirement. An ATR company representative also expressed appreciation for the partnership and how the aircraft performed safely throughout its life. Previously, Buddha Air had also retired an older ATR‑42 aircraft in September 2024.
This retirement marks a milestone in Nepal’s aviation history and the lifecycle of turboprop aircraft in commercial service.