Helicopter Price Transparency Policy

How Aero Connect Nepal builds every helicopter quote: what drives the cost, what is included, what is paid separately, and what we will never add at the helipad.

Reading time: about 6 minutes  ·  Applies to all Aero Connect Nepal charter and shared-seat flights

1. Priced per aircraft, not per person

A helicopter costs roughly the same to fly whether it carries one passenger or its maximum load. For that reason, charter prices are set for the whole aircraft and the per-person figure depends on how many seats are filled.

The seat limit depends on the route, altitude and weight (section 3), so the number of people who can share is not always the same as the number of seats in the cabin.

2. How an Aero Connect Nepal quote is built

We break each quote into the same parts every time, so you can compare it line by line with any other offer.

1. Aircraft charter: flying time for the route, including positioning and return where applicable.
2. Pilot and crew: a licensed pilot with the high-altitude experience the route requires.
3. Fuel: including refuelling at remote points where the route needs it.
4. Landing, parking and handling: helipad and airfield charges for the route.
5. Aviation charges: applicable regulatory charges in force on the flight date.
6. Separate charges: items you pay directly, such as airport tax or permits, listed by name with the amount where known.

Rates and charges are set by licensed operators and by regulators and can change; the quote you receive is the figure that applies to your flight.

3. Why higher landings cost more: altitude and payload

Air gets thinner as you climb, so rotor blades produce less lift. To stay within safe limits, a helicopter flying to a high landing point carries less weight. That reduces how many people can share the cost, and sometimes means shuttle flights.

Altitudes are approximate. Actual passenger limits are set by the pilot and operator on the day, using aircraft type, weights, temperature and wind.

4. Fuel, refuelling points and route length

Fuel is one of the largest cost items. Fuel at remote mountain airstrips is limited and costs more to bring in than fuel in Kathmandu. Longer routes, detours around cloud and high-altitude reserve requirements all add flight time and fuel burn, and some routes need an en-route refuel to return safely.

5. Weather, holding time and operational reality

Valley weather in the Himalaya can close within minutes. When it does, aircraft may hold, divert or wait on standby for a safe opening. This affects crew time, fuel and aircraft availability, and it is why a safe flight sometimes departs later than first planned. Safety decisions always come before schedule and before price.

6. What is included, and what is not

Your written quote lists which of these apply to your route, so nothing is left to be discovered at the helipad.

7. Taxes, fees and permits

Charges differ from route to route. Some are built into the aircraft price; others are paid by the passenger directly at the airport or to the permit authority. We tell you which is which in writing, and we state the amount whenever it is known in advance. If a rule or rate changes before your flight, we tell you as soon as we know and show you the difference.

8. Shared seat vs private charter

9. Seasonal pricing

Demand follows the trekking calendar. Aircraft are in short supply during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), which is when prices and booking pressure are highest. In quieter months there is more flexibility, although weather can be harder to predict, especially during the monsoon (roughly June to August). Booking earlier in peak season gives you more choice of date and aircraft.

10. Why the final price is confirmed close to the flight

We give a clear price range when you enquire and fix the exact figure once these are known:

• The weather outlook and flight window
• Number of passengers and total weight, including baggage
• Final route, landing point and refuelling plan
• Landing permissions for the day

If the final figure differs from the range, we show you which of these factors caused it, in writing, before you pay or board.

11. Rescue and insurance-linked flights

Emergency and medical evacuation flights are quoted separately from sightseeing and trekking transfers, because the route, urgency and medical coordination are different. When you are insured, we can coordinate with your assistance company and give them an itemised invoice.

Before you trek, check that your travel insurance covers helicopter evacuation at the altitude you plan to reach.

12. Cancellations and weather terms

Your quote states what happens if the flight cannot operate for weather or safety reasons, and what applies if you change or cancel. Full cancellation, refund and weather terms are on our Terms and Conditions page.

13. Our no-hidden-fees commitments

• No fuel surcharge added at the helipad that was not in your written quote.
• No on-the-day service charge.
• No weight penalty unless a safety rule requires it, and then we explain it first.
• Any change to the price is explained in writing and linked to a factor on this page.
• Every quote names the licensed operator and the aircraft type that will fly you.

14. How to check any helicopter quote in Nepal

This checklist works for us and for anyone else you ask. A fair quote answers every item in writing.

1. Who is the licensed operator, and what is their Air Operator Certificate status?
2. Which aircraft type, and how many passengers can it carry on this route?
3. Is the price per aircraft or per seat?
4. What exactly is the route and landing point, and how long will you stay on the ground?
5. Which charges are included, and which do you pay separately?
6. What happens if weather delays or stops the flight?
7. What is the refund and change policy, and how does payment work?
8. Who can you contact on the day of the flight?