Senior Captain Bhawana Pant has established herself as a distinguished female aviation professional in Nepal, with more than 25 years of experience in commercial aviation. Her career reflects technical expertise, operational discipline, aviation safety and a sustained contribution to the development of aviation professionals.

Currently serving as a Senior Captain with Nepal Airlines, Captain Pant has been commanding Airbus A320 aircraft on scheduled international routes across Asia and the Middle East since 2018. Her progression from regional aircraft operations to international Airbus flights demonstrates determination, continuous learning and professional growth.

Captain Pant began her commercial aviation career in 1997 as a First Officer with Necon Air. During the early years, she operated Cessna Caravan, AVRO and Beech 1900C aircraft, gaining valuable experience in regional and multi-engine operations within Nepal’s demanding flying environment.

She later served as a Captain with Buddha Air, operating Beechcraft 1900C/D, ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 aircraft on scheduled and chartered domestic routes. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Captain with Saurya Airlines, flying CRJ-200 aircraft on domestic routes involving challenging terrain and short-runway operations. During this period, she also contributed to Crew Resource Management standardization and accumulated more than 1,000 safe flight hours under varied weather conditions.

A defining milestone in Captain Pant’s career came in 2023, when she led Nepal’s first all-female international flight crew. The achievement marked an important moment in Nepal’s aviation history and reflected the expanding participation of women in a technically demanding and traditionally male-dominated profession. It also brought greater visibility to the capabilities of women working in commercial aviation.

According to her professional profile, Captain Pant had accumulated more than 14,211 total flight hours, including over 4,000 hours on the Airbus A320, as of April 2026. Her areas of expertise include Airbus A320 operations, flight safety, crew coordination and cockpit resource management. She has also contributed to the development of young aviation professionals through mentoring junior first officers and cadets.

Throughout her career, safety and operational discipline have remained central to her work. Her responsibilities include safety briefings, operational checks, pre- and post-flight inspections and compliance with established aviation procedures. Her professional training includes Airbus A320 training at ST Aerospace Academy in Singapore, Ground Instructor training in the United States and ATR Series training. She also holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and other professional aviation qualifications.

Captain Pant’s career illustrates steady advancement built on technical preparation, practical experience and adaptability. From flying regional aircraft in the early stages of her career to commanding Airbus A320 aircraft on international routes, she has developed extensive operational knowledge and expertise across different stages of commercial aviation.

Her historic participation in Nepal’s first all-female international flight crew, extensive flying experience and contribution to pilot development make her a notable figure in Nepal’s aviation sector. Her career also represents the increasing professional presence of women in specialized aviation roles and demonstrates the importance of competence, preparation and sustained career development.

Her professional journey represents a career built through skill, discipline, experience and perseverance, reflecting the evolving role of women in Nepal’s aviation industry.