{{Short description|Nepalese airline}} {{Infobox airline |airline = Sita Air |logo = Sita_Air_logo.png |logo_size = 250 |fleet_size = 4 |destinations = 13 |IATA = ST |ICAO = STA{{efn|Sita Air has no registered ICAO code allocated, but uses 'STA' on scheduling, ticketing and baggage (as an official ICAO code would be used). However, officially, the ICAO Code 'STA' is allocated to Star Aviation UK.<ref name="schedule">{{cite web|title=Flight Schedule|url=http://sitaair.com.np/demo/flight-schedule/|publisher=Sita Air|accessdate=1 May 2018|archive-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907063538/http://sitaair.com.np/demo/flight-schedule/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} |callsign = - |parent = |founded = {{Start date and age|2000}} |headquarters = Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal |key_people = <div> * Venkatesh Mundara Chairman/Managing Director<ref name="sitaair.com.np">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sitaair.com.np/about-us/|title=About Us – Sita Air}}</ref> * Narayan Prasad Mundara Director<ref name="sitaair.com.np"/></div> |hubs = Tribhuvan International Airport |secondary_hubs = Pokhara Airport, Nepalgunj Airport |website = {{url|www.sitaair.com.np}} }}
'''Sita Air''' is an airline based in Kathmandu, Nepal, operating domestic services within Nepal.<ref>"[http://www.sitaair.com.np/contact.php Contact Information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111073658/http://www.sitaair.com.np/contact.php |date=2011-11-11 }}." Sita Air. Retrieved on 29 December 2011. "Sinamangal Ward No: 9 Kathmandu, Nepal"</ref> It was established in 2003. The airline's main base is Tribhuvan International Airport with hubs at Pokhara Airport and Nepalgunj Airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sitaair.com.np/des_nepaljung.php|title=Sita Air|publisher=|access-date=9 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101201431/http://www.sitaair.com.np/des_nepaljung.php|archive-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> {{As of|2026}} it is banned from flying in the EU.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The EU Air Safety List - European Commission |url=https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/eu-air-safety-list_en |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=transport.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>
== History == [[File:SITA AIR DORNIER 228 9N-AHB AT KATHMANDU TRIBHUVAN AIRPORT NEPAL FEB 2013 (8531316785).jpg|thumb|Sita Air Dornier 228 parked at Tribhuvan International Airport (February 2013)]]
The airline received its air operators certificate in 2000, and was established in October 2000, but was unable to operate until 2003 due to political unrest in Nepal.<ref name="FI">Flight International 12–18 April 2005</ref> Operations started on 6 February 2003 with a single Dornier 228; a second aircraft was added in April 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sitaair.com.np/history.php|title=Sita Air|publisher=|access-date=9 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101200939/http://www.sitaair.com.np/history.php|archive-date=1 November 2014}}</ref>
In August 2014, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal barred the airline from carrying passengers due to safety concerns and failing to meet international standards. The airline was allowed to continue operating cargo flights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caan clips airlines' wings for violating safety rules |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2014-08-19/caan-clips-airlines-wings-for-violating-safety-rules.html |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012095048/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2014-08-19/caan-clips-airlines-wings-for-violating-safety-rules.html |archivedate=12 October 2017}}</ref> However, by 2016, the airline was allowed to operate passenger services again.<ref>{{cite web|title=2016; Prosperous year for Domestic airlines in Nepal|date=26 March 2017|url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/2016-prosperous-year-for-domestic-airlines-in-nepal/|publisher=Aviation Nepal|accessdate=1 May 2018}}</ref>
In 2016, the airline was sold to Biratnagar-based Agrawal Group for NPRs 550,000,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sita Air Sold To Agrawal Group For Nrs. 55 Crore|url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/sita-air-sold-to-agrawal-group-for-nrs-55-crore/|publisher=Aviation Nepal|accessdate=1 May 2018|date=1 September 2016}}</ref>
In 2017, Sita Air bought two more Dornier 228 aircraft from Simrik Airlines.<ref>{{cite web|title=Simrik Airlines left with fewer flights|date=27 August 2017|url=http://www.aviationnepal.com/simrik-airlines-left-fewer-flights/|publisher=Aviation Nepal|accessdate=24 October 2017}}</ref>
== Destinations == Sita Air currently operates services to the following domestic destinations (as of May 2019):<ref name="schedule"/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- !City !Airport !Notes !class="unsortable"|Refs |- |Bajura||Bajura Airport|||| |- |Chainpur||Bajhang Airport||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web |title=Destinations : Bajhang |url=http://sitaair.com.np/des_bajhang.php |publisher=Sita Air |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317115128/http://sitaair.com.np/des_bajhang.php |archivedate=17 March 2016}}</ref> |- |Chandannath||Jumla Airport|| || |- |Chaurjahari||Chaurjahari Airport||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web |title=Destinations : Dang |url=http://sitaair.com.np/des_chaurjhari.php |publisher=Sita Air |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317120727/http://sitaair.com.np/des_chaurjhari.php |archivedate=17 March 2016}}</ref> |- |Dhangadhi||Dhangadhi Airport||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web |title=Destinations : Dhangadi|url=http://www.sitaair.com.np/des_dhangadi.php |publisher=Sita Air |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317113650/http://sitaair.com.np/des_dhangadi.php |archivedate=17 March 2016}}</ref> |- |Janakpur||Janakpur Airport||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web |title=Destinations : Janakpur |url=http://sitaair.com.np/des_janakpur.php |publisher=Sita Air |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317112807/http://sitaair.com.np/des_janakpur.php |archivedate=17 March 2016}}</ref> |- |Jomsom||Jomsom Airport|||| |- |Juphal||Dolpa Airport|||| |- |Kathmandu||Tribhuvan International Airport||{{Airline hub}}|| |- |Lukla||Tenzing–Hillary Airport|||| |- |Manthali||Ramechhap Airport||{{Airline seasonal}}|| |- |Nepalgunj||Nepalgunj Airport|||| |- |Phaplu||Phaplu Airport||{{Airline seasonal}}|| |- |Pokhara||Pokhara Airport|||| |- |Rara||Talcha Airport|||| |- |Simikot||Simikot Airport|||| |- |Tulsipur||Dang Airport||{{Terminated}}||<ref>{{cite web |title=Destinations : Dang |url=http://sitaair.com.np/des_dang.php |publisher=Sita Air |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317121838/http://sitaair.com.np/des_dang.php |archivedate=17 March 2016}}</ref> |- |Tumlingtar||Tumlingtar Airport||{{Airline seasonal}}|| |- |}
== Fleet == {{As of|2025|8}}, Sita Air operates the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Global Airline Guide 2025 - Sita Air |magazine=Airliner World |date=September 2025 |page=69}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center" |+ '''Sita Air fleet''' |- !rowspan="2"|Aircraft !rowspan="2"|In service !rowspan="2"|Orders !colspan="3"|Passengers !rowspan="2"|Notes |- !<abbr title="Premium Economy Class">P</abbr> !<abbr title="Economy">Y</abbr> !Total |- |Dornier 228 |4 |— |0 |19 |19 |9N-AHA written off as Sita Air Flight 601 |- !Total !4 !— !colspan="4"| |}
== Accidents and incidents== [[File:Sita Air Accident.jpg|thumb|Wreckage of Flight 601 immediately after impact]]
* On 30 September 2004, a Sita Air Dornier 228 crashlanded at Lukla Airport, causing the airport to be closed for several days.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lukla airport still closed |url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=2100#.X5611_j0lPM |publisher=Nepali Times |accessdate=1 November 2020}}</ref> * On 12 October 2010, a Sita Air Dornier 228 hit a wall beside the runway in Lukla Airport as its brake system did not work properly.<ref name="Aaron Harrington-2012">{{Citation|last=Aaron Harrington|title=Almost Fatality at Lukla Airport Nepal 2010|date=2012-06-18|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TwLLkE5bz0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525114720/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TwLLkE5bz0&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=2013-05-25 |url-status=dead|accessdate=2016-12-27}}</ref> The engine inlet of the aircraft was damaged heavily.<ref name="Aaron Harrington-2012"/> The aircraft was attempting to land at Lukla airport. It was lifted by helicopter to Kathmandu for repairs and put back to service.{{cn|date=November 2025}} This same aircraft went on to have another crash landing accident on Simkot Airport in 2013.<ref name="Aviation Safety Network"/><ref name="Twitter">{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/UjjwalAcharya/status/340723024888205314/photo/1|title=Ujjwal Acharya on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=2016-12-27}}</ref> * On 28 September 2012, Sita Air Flight 601, a Dornier 228 crashed just after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport. All 16 passengers and three crew on board were killed. The flight was bound for Lukla.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nepal-crash-idUSBRE88R03720120928|title=British, Chinese among 19 dead in Nepal plane crash|work=Reuters|date=28 September 2012|accessdate=9 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysinchew.com/node/78131|title=28 September 2012 - Nepal plane crash kills all 19 on board: police (UPDATED) - Foreign - My Sinchew|publisher=|accessdate=9 May 2015}}</ref> An investigation into the crash concluded that it was caused by passenger and cargo payload that exceeded the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2013-08-28/probe-blames-overloading-for-2012-sita-air-crash.html|title=Probe blames overloading for 2012 Sita Air crash|publisher=The Kathmandu Post|access-date=2016-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120928-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Dornier 228-202 9N-AHA Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM) |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=2016-12-27}}</ref> * On 1 June 2013, a Sita Air Dornier 228 sustained substantial damage upon landing accident at Simikot Airport.<ref name="Aviation Safety Network"/> There were no injuries among the five passengers and two crew members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Sita+Air%5C's+aircraft+meets+with+accident+in+Humla%E2%80%9A+no+casualty+&NewsID=378467|title=Sita Air aircraft meets with accident in Humla' no casualty - The Himalayan Times|website=The Himalayan Times|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-27}}</ref> The left hand main landing gear broke and the Dornier 228 came to rest on the side of the runway. The no. 1 propeller, left wing and underside of the fuselage sustained substantial damage.<ref name="Aviation Safety Network"/><ref name="Twitter" /> The aircraft had to be airlifted to Kathmandu by a helicopter.<ref>{{Citation|last=Gainju R|title=Helicopter air lifting the plane|date=2013-10-13|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCdV9ipMIs8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/PCdV9ipMIs8 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|accessdate=2016-12-27}}{{cbignore}}</ref> * On 23 April 2017, Sita Air Flight 617, a Dornier 228 met a minor incident at Phaplu Airport. The wing tip of theaircraft of was damaged as the aircraft hit the wall on the apron at Phaplu Airport.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sita Air Dornier 9N-AHR meets an incident in Phaplu Airport|date=23 April 2017|url=http://www.aviationnepal.com/sita-air-dornier-9n-ahr-meets-an-incident-in-phaplu-airport/|publisher=Aviation Nepal|accessdate=30 October 2017}}</ref> * On 20 February 2018, Sita Air Flight 601, a Dornier 228 was forced to make an emergency diversion after the aircraft experienced abnormal pressure reading on the engine during the flight to Lukla from Kathmandu which forced the flight crew to carry out the precautionary engine shutdown procedure, shutting down the right engine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sita Air Dornier 228 lands safely at TIA after right engine shutdown|date=20 February 2018|url=https://www.aviationnepal.com/sita-air-dornier-do-228-lands-safely-at-tia-after-right-engine-shutdown/|publisher=Aviation Nepal|accessdate=20 February 2018}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notes}}
== References == {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="Aviation Safety Network">{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20130601-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Dornier 228-202K 9N-AHB Simikot Airport (IMK) |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=2016-12-27}}</ref> }}
== External links == {{Commons category inline|Sita Air}} *{{official website|http://sitaair.com.np/}}
{{Portalbar|Nepal|Aviation}} {{Airlines of Nepal}}
Category:Airlines banned in the European Union Category:Airlines of Nepal Category:Airlines established in 2003 Category:2000 establishments in Nepal