KATHMANDU, MAY 25 Serious concerns have emerged within Nepal Airlines regarding the appointment of First Officer Roshan Koirala, the Airbus A320 induction process, and financial decisions linked to pilot training, with a USD 8,000 duty allowance payment now becoming the centre of scrutiny. Documents reviewed in relation to the matter include Nepal Airlines' internal provisions on advance payments and a bank payment instruction showing approval of a USD 8,000 transfer to FO Roshan Koirala in connection with a scheduled training programme. Questions have been raised over the appointment of FO Roshan Koirala to the Airbus A320 fleet, with sources claiming he was appointed despite reportedly being close to, or beyond, the mandatory retirement age of 58 years prescribed under Nepal Airlines' internal bye laws. Concerns have been raised over the rationale behind enrolling an individual with limited remaining service years in an expensive Airbus training programme. Further questions have also surfaced regarding the implementation of qualification standards outlined under OM A 5.1.9.7.1 for Direct Entry Pilots, including type rating requirements and operational experience criteria. Sources familiar with the matter claim there are concerns over whether these standards were applied uniformly to all candidates. Similarly, allegations of selective recruitment practices have surfaced, with claims that qualified internal pilots were overlooked while external appointments were prioritised. Questions have also been raised regarding the Airbus A320 ground examination process. According to sources, rather than using a standard computer based examination system, the examination was conducted in paper based format. FO Roshan Koirala's reported score of 100 per cent has further intensified concerns among some employees regarding the transparency and integrity of the process. The most significant issue relates to a second Airbus A320 initial training programme reportedly scheduled for 17 April 2026.

A Nepal Airlines payment instruction addressed to Himalayan Bank, dated 10 April 2026, shows a request to debit the corporation's USD account and transfer USD 8,000 to FO Roshan Koirala as a duty related payment connected to travel for Kuala Lumpur. However, questions emerged after reports indicated that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation subsequently cancelled the training programme. An additional internal document outlining Nepal Airlines' provisions on advances and advance settlement procedures states that payments issued for official assignments are subject to settlement requirements and linked to completion of the assigned work. The provision also states that employees seeking advances for official work are required to submit supporting approval documents and provide settlement after completing the assigned task. Questions have now been raised over whether these procedures were followed in this case. According to allegations raised internally, FO Roshan Koirala did not complete the planned training and later travelled abroad. Sources further claim that he is currently operating the LET L 410 aircraft under the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service while allegedly continuing to maintain formal ties with Nepal Airlines. The incident has raised broader concerns regarding possible procedural lapses, financial governance, and administrative accountability within the national carrier. Sources also claim complaints have been lodged with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Nepal Airlines management. According to a source, Nepal Airlines' Finance Department has initiated an internal review examining the approval, payment, and recovery status of the USD 8,000 duty allowance connected to the cancelled training programme. The documents reviewed confirm the existence of a payment instruction and internal provisions governing advance payments and settlements. However, allegations regarding procedural violations and individual conduct remain subject to official verification and the findings of any ongoing investigation.