Simrik Air celebrates 23 years of service to the nation

Simrik Air has completed 23 years of successful operation, marking a journey fueled by innovation and determination. The rotary-wing operator, which was established after the government adopted the open sky policy in the mid-1990s, began operations with Mi-17 helicopters. The company initially focused on cargo operations, transporting cargo and passengers to remote and backward districts that lacked road access. 

Over time, Simrik embraced evolution, swapping its older helicopters for sleeker, nimbler choppers, ushering in a new era of aerial prowess. Today, Simrik's fleet boasts the elegant Bell 407 GXP, the versatile Airbus H125 (formerly known as B3e), and the agile Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, each a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence.

Capt Rameshwar Thapa, the visionary at Simrik’s helm, paints a picture of helicopters as the lifelines in Nepal’s challenging terrain. “Overcoming the challenges of the early days, we will continue working to further develop the helicopter industry,” he said on the occasion of the company’s 23rd anniversary. He also hinted at Simrik’s plans to introduce nighttime and other services in the near future.

Over the course of 23 years, Simrik Air has etched its mark across Nepal’s skies, a guardian angel in times of strife and a beacon of hope in the face of adversity. From airlifting the wounded amidst internal conflicts to ferrying food to remote and isolated pockets of the country, from orchestrating swift disaster responses to transporting patients, Simrik has been a steadfast ally.

“During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Simrik Air was the first in Nepal to bring in a biological isolation chamber to transport Covid-19 patients. The service benefited around 250 patients,” the company said in a statement.  Simrik Air was also among the first helicopter companies to conduct aerial surveys and rescue missions in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake. The company also brought a specialized medical team from different hospitals to the US Bangla crash site at the Tribhuvan International Airport in 2018 and successfully evacuated passengers to different hospitals. 

Ever the vanguard of progress and the champion of environmental responsibility, Simrik has also invested in firefighting equipment. It has successfully controlled three major wildfires in the past three years. And now, with aerial construction support technology on the horizon, Simrik aims to rewrite the rules of infrastructure development, a pioneer in the skies.

“Under the ‘easy heli access for all’ campaign, the company has started chartered services based on group booking to join hands with the government to promote internal tourism. Thousands of Nepalis are benefiting from the service,” the company said. And as the sun sets on another year of triumphs, Simrik Air stands on the cusp of history, laying the foundation for Nepal's first heliport, a testament to its commitment to the nation's future.

In celebration of its 23rd anniversary, Simrik Air launched Nepal’s first helicopter magazine. On the occasion, it also felicitated Dr Sanjaya Karki of Nepal Mediciti Hospital’s Emergency Department; Fanindra Raj Khanal, former director general of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; Chhiring Dhenduk Bhote, Simrik employee; Suraj Paudel, mountaineer and helicopter rescue coordinator; and Karuna Manandhar, Simrik’s senior marketing manager.

‘Link heli rescue operations to insurance’

- Capt Rameshwar Thapa, Chairperson, Simrik Air

Nepal’s rugged topography presents significant challenges to road infrastructure, often disrupted by natural calamities such as floods and landslides, resulting in prolonged shutdowns that impede ambulance services. Since airplanes require airports, they cannot adequately serve emergency medical and rescue needs. Consequently, helicopters, capable of landing without designated infrastructures, stand as the sole option for such operations. To ensure accessible medical services for all Nepalis, it is essential for the government to integrate helicopter rescue operations into medical services and link them with insurance coverage. This approach would facilitate prompt and efficient medical assistance. By implementing this strategy, countless lives can be saved. As a helicopter operator, we are eager to collaborate with the government and insurance companies to realize this plan.