Nepal Airlines Corporation board (5 members)
नेपाल वायुसेवा निगम सञ्चालक समिति (५ जना)
Directors, Nepal Airlines Corporation
- Institution
- Nepal Airlines Corporation
- Appointed by
- Minister Khadkaraj Paudel
- Date
- June 2026
- Government
- Balen Shah government
In June 2026 (Jestha 31, 2083), Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Khadkaraj Paudel appointed five people from 27 applicants to the Nepal Airlines Corporation board: Dr. Deepak Prasad Bastola (Kaski), Pravin Bhattarai (Chitwan), Maheshwar Bhakta Shrestha (Lalitpur), Rupa Lamichhane (Kathmandu) and Lilaraj Dhakal (Syangja).
A complaint filed with the PM’s Office and the Council of Ministers alleges the minister ignored the open-competition scores and decided arbitrarily. The PM was reportedly briefed and an internal investigation is under way.
Note: This is an allegation only. No personal allegation has been made against any of the five appointees; the question is about the process.
Response from those concerned
Ministry spokesperson Jaynarayan Acharya said the appointment was made "entirely on merit" with "no political interference or nepotism".
Sources & evidence
Evidence level: An allegation or complaint exists; not established. Our fact-check method →
Updated: 25 September 2026