Served as Minister of Law, Justice and Education
Surendra Bahadur Basnet
Deceasedसुरेन्द्र बहादुर बस्नेत
Founder of Buddha Air, Nepal's leading domestic airline; former Supreme Court justice and government minister
About
Surendra Bahadur Basnet was born in Bhojpur’s Salma-Dingla area. He trained in law in Banaras. He then built a career spanning the judiciary and government. He served as a Supreme Court justice. He became Nepal’s first Election Commission Chief Commissioner. He also served as a two-time cabinet minister, during the Panchayat era.
At age 70, he founded Buddha Air with his son, Birendra. He built it into one of Nepal’s leading domestic airlines. This opened up air travel to the wider Nepali public. He died in 2025, at age 95.
Quick facts
- Birthplace
- Salma-Dingla, Bhojpur District, Nepal
- Profession
- Jurist, Government minister, Businessman
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 2025-10
Previous roles
Founding Chairman
Buddha Air · 1996
Justice
Supreme Court of Nepal
Chief Commissioner
Election Commission of Nepal
Minister of Law, Justice and Education
Government of Nepal · 1967
Minister of Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supply
Government of Nepal · 1968
Founding President
Nepal Press Council
Education
Banaras, India
LLB
Career & life timeline
- 1967
- 1968
Served as Minister of Finance, Industry, Commerce and Supply
- 1996
Founded Buddha Air with his son Birendra Bahadur Basnet, at age 70
- 1997-10-11
Buddha Air commenced operations with a sightseeing flight to Mount Everest
- 2025-10
Died in Kathmandu at age 95
Achievements
Founded Buddha Air
1996At age 70, expanding air travel access for the Nepali public
First Chief Commissioner of Nepal's Election Commission
Founding member of the Nepal Bar Association
Organizations & affiliations
- Buddha Air
- Nepal Bar Association
- Nepal Press Council
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06