Sunday in Nepal, a passenger plane disappeared with 22 persons on board, according to the airline.

The Twin Otter aircraft took off from the western city of Pokhara at 9:55 a.m. (0410 GMT) but lost communication with air traffic control shortly after that.

"A domestic flight bound for Jomsom from Pokhara has lost contact," Tara Air spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula told AFP.

He stated that there were 19 passengers and three crew members on board.

Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman Phanindra Mani Pokharel stated that two helicopters had been deployed for a search mission.

However, he stated that visibility was poor.

"The poor weather is likely to hinder the search effort. There is no visibility, hence nothing can be seen "Pokharel said.

Jomsom is a popular trekking location in the Himalayas, approximately 20 minutes by aircraft west of Kathmandu from Pokhara.

Poor record

In recent years, Nepal's aviation business has flourished, transporting visitors, trekkers, climbers, and products to remote regions with inadequate road connectivity.

However, the aviation safety record of the impoverished Himalayan nation is poor due to inadequate training and upkeep.

Due to safety concerns, the European Union has banned all Nepalese airlines from its airspace.

The country is also home to some of the world's most remote and challenging runways, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and has approaches that challenge even the most skilled pilots.

In March 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed near the international airport in Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of 51 persons.

The following year, three persons were killed when a jet strayed off the runway and struck two helicopters near Mount Everest while taking off.

The tragedy occurred at Lukla airport, the primary access point to the Everest region, and is regarded as one of the world's most challenging landings and takeoffs.

Also, in 2019, the tourism minister of Nepal, Rabindra Adhikari, was one of seven individuals who died in a helicopter crash in the country's rugged eastern region.

This month, Nepal's second international airport opened at Bhairahawa to facilitate travel for Buddhist pilgrims from around Asia to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.

The 76 million dollar renovation would alleviate strain on the overcrowded international airport in Kathmandu.