Helicopter companies now require to register before flying in the Annapurna area

Helicopter operating companies are required to register their company before flying their helicopter at Annapurna Base Camp area from now onward. Annapurna Rural Municipality situated in Kaski district of Western Nepal has enforced regulations for flights at the ABC area located at an altitude of 4,130 metres.

If the helicopter companies are registered with the rural municipality it is required to pay Rs. 10,000 per flight, said Bishnu Bahadur K.C., chairman of the rural municipality. For those companies who has not registered with the rural municipality Rs. 20,000 will be charged per flight, he informed.

“The rural municipality had formulated the Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Flight Tourism Fee Management Procedure 2023,” a couple of years ago. However, the regulation was not strictly adhered to. Now the rural municipality has strictly enforced the regulation that requires helicopter companies to register their company.

So far three helicopter companies, Simrik Air, Air Dynasty and Heli Everest have registered the helicopter with the rural municipality, according to him.

ABC, a protected area of Nepal, is a popular trekking destination, which attracts more than 50,000 tourists every year. However, those, who do not want to venture for trekking and wish to have a view of scenic mountains can enjoy helicopter flights.