Nepal Overflight Permit | CAAN & Kathmandu FIR VNSM Requirements

Do You Need a Nepal Overflight Permit?

Yes. Nepal AIP GEN 1.2 states that advance notification and permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal are required for civil aircraft of ICAO Contracting States to cross or overfly Kathmandu FIR VNSM. Nepal facilitates such overflights when adequate notification has been provided. In other cases, flight permission must be sought through diplomatic means from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nepal Overflight Permit Requirements

To process a Nepal overflight permit, operators should normally provide the following details:

• Aircraft registration and aircraft type
• Operator name and full contact details
• Complete flight schedule with UTC date and time
• Departure airport and destination airport
• Entry and exit points with ATC route
• Purpose of flight and call sign / flight number
• Lead passenger details where applicable
• Consignee and consignor details for cargo flights

Required Documents for Nepal Permit Processing

• Certificate of Registration (COR)
• Certificate of Airworthiness (COA)
• Valid aircraft insurance certificate
• Noise certificate if requested
• Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for commercial operators
• Flight schedule and complete routing
• Crew, passenger or cargo details where requested
• Dangerous goods declaration if applicable

Nepal Flight Permission Lead Time

Do not use a universal 24–72 working-hour overflight lead time. The current Nepal AIP requires adequate advance notification for overflight but does not state that 24–72 hours is the universal period. Separate landing categories have different published timelines, including longer notice for non-scheduled traffic and charter operations, so operators should confirm the current overflight submission timing with CAAN before dispatch.

Nepal Authorization Validity and Schedule Changes

Remove the generic +72-hour validity claim. Use only the validity and operating conditions stated in the CAAN permission. Major changes to aircraft, route, FIR entry/exit, schedule or purpose should be checked with CAAN before operation.

Who Needs Nepal Flight Clearance Support?

Nepal flight clearance support is useful for operators crossing Kathmandu FIR, operating to or from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhairahawa or other airports, or planning South Asia routing where multiple permits may be required.

For regional operations, operators may also review India overflight permits and South Asia routing requirements.

• Private jet and business aviation operators
• Non-scheduled charter flight operators
• Cargo and air freight operators
• Ambulance, medevac and humanitarian flights
• Ferry, delivery and aircraft positioning flights
• Flights requiring landing, fuel, parking or ground handling in Nepal

Nepal FIR VNSM Information

Nepal airspace is divided into one main Flight Information Region: Kathmandu FIR (VNSM).

Key airport references include Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu (VNKT/KTM), Pokhara, Bhairahawa / Gautam Buddha International Airport, and other domestic airports across Nepal.

For smooth operations, the requested permit route should match the operational flight plan. If ATC routing, entry point, exit point or schedule changes after approval, operators should verify whether a revision is required before filing or operating the flight. For complete coordination, operators may also utilize flight support services.

Nepal FIR Entry and Exit Points

The following entry and exit points are commonly used for Nepal route planning. Operators should verify routing against the latest approved ATS route structure before filing the flight plan.

Overflight Permit Categories for Nepal

• Overflight permits for charter passenger flights
• Overflight permits for private passenger flights
• Overflight permits for non-scheduled cargo flights
• Monthly block overflight permits for airline operations
• Seasonal block overflight permits for scheduled commercial flights

Overflight Charges and Navigation Fees

Nepal overflight charges and navigation fees may depend on aircraft type, maximum take-off weight, route, nature of operation and whether the aircraft is only overflying or also landing in Nepal.

Where landing is involved, operators should also consider airport charges, parking, ground handling, fuel uplift, supervision and any additional airport service charges requested for the operation.

Operational Restrictions and Special Approvals

Certain flight categories may require additional review or longer coordination time. Operators should provide complete information early when the flight involves special cargo, state-related movement, diplomatic clearance, dangerous goods, ambulance operation or unusual routing.

• Military, diplomatic or state flights
• Dangerous goods or special cargo flights
• Ambulance, medevac and humanitarian missions
• Survey, inspection or scientific flights
• Flights with restricted cargo or unusual routing

Aviation Regulations in Nepal

Aviation regulations in Nepal are overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), operating under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Regulations support safety, security and efficient operation within Nepalese airspace.

Nepal’s aviation framework includes civil aviation rules, CAAN directives, operational circulars, airworthiness requirements, licensing, certification, airport operations and air traffic services procedures.

• Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) oversight
• Compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices
• Airport and air traffic management requirements
• Flight plan submission and ATS coordination procedures

Nepal AIP Flight Plan Notes

A flight plan should be submitted to the appropriate ATS unit for flights in airways and other airspace, flights requiring ATC service, flights in designated areas or routes, and flights crossing international borders.

For Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu, the ATS Reporting Office and relevant aerodrome control towers are used for flight plan submission. Flight plans should generally be filed by the pilot-in-command or authorized representative at least sixty minutes prior to departure.

If an international flight is delayed by 30 minutes, or a domestic flight is delayed by 60 minutes beyond EOBT, the flight plan should be amended, cancelled or re-submitted as applicable.

Altimeter Setting Procedures in Kathmandu FIR

The altimeter setting procedures in Kathmandu FIR generally conform to ICAO procedures. QNH reports and temperature information for terrain clearance are provided in MET broadcasts and are available on request from ATS units.

The system of altimetry in Kathmandu FIR makes use of a transition layer to separate aircraft using QNH from aircraft using 1013.2 hPa. The transition layer is between a transition altitude of 13,500 ft and a transition level of FL150. Cruising within the transition layer is not permitted.

Landing Permit, Handling and Fuel Support

Our flight operations support can also assist with airport coordination, service confirmation, schedule revision, supplier follow-up and communication with the operator until flight completion.

If your aircraft will land in Nepal, you may require international landing permits along with full global flight support services including handling, fuel and crew assistance.

If your aircraft will land in Nepal for passenger movement, technical stop, crew rest, cargo handling or fuel uplift, Permit2Fly can coordinate landing permits, ground handling, parking, supervision and fuel support at Kathmandu and other Nepalese airports.

International Trip Support Services

Permit2Fly provides comprehensive and personalized flight planning and international trip support services for corporate aviation, charter operators, private owners, cargo operators and passenger commercial airlines.

Our experienced flight support team can coordinate Nepal overflight permits, landing permits, ground handling, fuel, parking and supervision through vetted local service providers.

Official Nepal Aviation Reference

Use current competent-authority and AIP material as the controlling source for permit applicability, timing, documentation and operating conditions.

• Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal – eAIP

Why Choose Permit2Fly for Nepal Overflight Permits?

Permit2Fly supports operators with practical flight operations experience, fast communication and clear permit coordination. Our team reviews the submitted route, aircraft details and schedule before processing, helping reduce avoidable delays caused by missing documents or route mismatches.

• 24/7 permit coordination and operational follow-up
• Support for route, schedule and aircraft revisions
• Coordination for overflight, landing, fuel and ground handling
• Clear communication for urgent and short-notice flights
• South Asia and worldwide permit support for multi-country routing

Frequently Asked Questions