KATHMANDU:A claim circulating widely across Nepali media that Buddha Air has retired the “world’s first ATR-72 aircraft after completing its full life cycle” is drawing scrutiny from aviation analysts, as global aviation records indicate that ATR-72 aircraft have been retired by multiple airlines around the world for decades.

The controversy emerged after Buddha Air formally bid farewell to its ATR-72 aircraft registered as 9N-AJO, which completed its final commercial flight on 9 March 2026 from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu after approximately 16 years of service.

Several Nepali media outlets subsequently published headlines asserting:
“विश्वमै पहिलो पटक एटीआर-७२ जहाजको बिदाइ”
(“First-ever retirement of an ATR-72 aircraft in the world, Buddha Air’s 9N-AJO will no longer fly.”)

However, aviation data and historical fleet records show that the retirement of ATR-72 aircraft is not unprecedented, raising questions about the accuracy of the narrative being circulated.

Buddha Air’s claim and aircraft details

According to information released during the retirement ceremony:

• Aircraft: ATR-72 (registration 9N-AJO)
• Entry into service: 2 July 2010
• Final flight: 9 March 2026 (Bhairahawa–Kathmandu)
• Total passengers carried: 2,482,772
• Operational period: 16 years

The airline stated that the aircraft had reached its maximum operational life of approximately 72,000 flight cycles. In aviation terminology, one “cycle” equals one take-off and one landing.

During the farewell event:

• Buddha Air Executive Chairman Birendra Bahadur Basnet claimed the aircraft had set a historic record by operating through its full life cycle.
• Nepal’s civil aviation authority leadership praised the airline’s maintenance and safety practices.
• Representatives from the aircraft manufacturer also highlighted the airline’s technical capability.

While the aircraft’s long operational life is notable, the claim that this is the first retirement of an ATR-72 aircraft globally does not align with international aviation records.

ATR-72 retirements have occurred globally for years

Fleet databases and airline records show that numerous ATR-72 aircraft have already been retired, phased out, or replaced by airlines worldwide.

Examples include:

Spain – Air Nostrum
The Spanish regional airline retired several ATR-72-500 aircraft around 2012–2013 when transitioning to newer models.

Colombia – Avianca Regional
Avianca gradually retired its ATR-72 fleet between 2021 and 2022 as part of a restructuring plan.

United Kingdom (Channel Islands) – Aurigny Air Services
The airline retired ATR-72-200 series aircraft during the mid-2010s when modernizing its fleet.

Madagascar – Tsaradia / Madagascar Airlines
ATR-72-500 aircraft were withdrawn from service during fleet restructuring in 2024.

Beyond these examples, aviation fleet tracking platforms show dozens of ATR-72 aircraft worldwide listed as stored, withdrawn from service, or scrapped over the past two decades.

This clearly demonstrates that ATR-72 retirements are not unprecedented events in global aviation.

Aviation experts highlight difference between “retirement” and “life-cycle completion”

Industry specialists note that there may be confusion between two different concepts:

1. Aircraft retirement — when an airline stops operating a plane.
2. Completion of maximum design life cycles — when an aircraft reaches its structural flight-cycle limit.

Most commercial aircraft are retired long before reaching their maximum cycle limit due to economic reasons, leasing arrangements, or fleet modernization.

Because of this, an aircraft reaching near-maximum design cycles can be relatively rare, but that does not mean it is the first retirement of that aircraft model globally.

Previous Buddha Air retirement also created confusion

A similar situation occurred in September 2024, when Buddha Air retired an ATR-42 aircraft after a long operational life.

At that time, the airline emphasized that the aircraft had completed its full economic life cycle, which was notable but not equivalent to the first retirement of the aircraft type globally.

Nepali media widely repeated the claim without verification

Despite the global evidence, many Nepali media outlets reproduced the airline’s claim almost verbatim, presenting it as a historic aviation first.

Several headlines declared that the retirement of 9N-AJO represented:

• “The world’s first ATR-72 retirement”
• “A historic global aviation record”

However, independent verification of aviation fleet data contradicts those assertions.

Media analysts say the incident highlights a recurring issue in Nepal’s aviation reporting, where corporate announcements are often published without cross-checking international industry records.

Aviation transparency and information accuracy questioned

The situation has sparked discussion within aviation circles about corporate communication and public information accuracy in Nepal’s aviation sector.

While experts acknowledge that Buddha Air has one of Nepal’s strongest safety and maintenance reputations, they emphasize that extraordinary global claims require careful verification.

“Operating an aircraft for many years is commendable,” said one aviation analyst.
“But presenting it as the first retirement of that aircraft type worldwide is simply not supported by global aviation data.”

Growing calls for fact-checking in Nepal aviation reporting

The episode has triggered calls among aviation observers and journalists for stronger fact-checking standards when reporting industry claims, particularly when those claims involve global aviation milestones.

Experts say accurate aviation reporting is critical for maintaining credibility, especially as Nepal’s aviation sector continues to attract attention from international regulators, investors, and travelers.

For now, the farewell of Buddha Air’s 9N-AJO remains a notable moment in Nepal’s domestic aviation history — but not the world’s first retirement of an ATR-72 aircraft, as widely claimed.