Flights Disrupted as Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport Shuts Down

(KATHMANDU) Nepal’s sole international gateway, Tribhuvan International Airport, is fully closed as of September 9, 2025, prompting a sweeping flight suspension across all domestic and international routes. Authorities shut Kathmandu airport after violent protests and fire incidents erupted near the airfield, particularly around Gothatar and Koteshwar. Airport officials confirmed that planes already in the air at the time of the order were allowed to land, but no new arrivals or departures are permitted. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said the closure will remain in place “until further notice,” while security forces assess risks and stabilize the area.

Immediate operational impact

The immediate impact is stark. Major carriers—including Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, and flydubai—have canceled all Kathmandu-bound services. Several flights diverted to Lucknow or returned to origin airports because of smoke and security concerns.

Roadblocks and a valley-wide curfew have further complicated crew movements and passenger access, turning a fast-moving political crisis into a full-blown aviation shutdown.

Airport authorities and the Nepali Army have secured the premises. The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) signaling that the airfield is unavailable for routine operations. No timeline has been provided for lifting the NOTAM.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Nepal’s reliance on Tribhuvan International Airport as its only international hub means even short closures ripple across:

• Tourism
• Trade
• Labor migration
• Emergency medical evacuations

An extended shutdown could delay seasonal trekking traffic and strand thousands of Nepali workers who transit through the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

Assistance for stranded travelers

The Nepal Tourism Board has deployed free shuttle buses between the airport and major hotels, with Tourist Police and board representatives assisting stranded travelers at the arrivals area.

Airlines have issued waivers, allowing affected passengers to rebook or seek refunds without penalty; Air India and IndiGo were among the first to advise customers to postpone non-essential travel. Diplomats have urged their citizens already in Nepal to shelter in place and avoid protests and government buildings.

Security crisis and political fallout

The airport closure coincides with an extraordinary surge in youth-led demonstrations across Kathmandu Valley. The protests were sparked by a widely unpopular social media ban that the government later reversed, but anger grew—powered by broader frustration over corruption and heavy-handed policing.

Over the past 24 hours, violence escalated. Protesters attacked government buildings and the homes of senior officials, and security forces responded with force, including reported use of live ammunition. Local authorities and hospital sources report at least 19 dead and more than 300 injured—the deadliest day of street unrest in Nepal in decades.

Political consequences were immediate:

• Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, citing the “extraordinary situation.”
• The Home Minister and the Minister for Agriculture also stepped down, acknowledging failures in crisis management.
• A curfew across the Kathmandu Valley has been imposed, with checkpoints and movement restrictions that make access to Tribhuvan International Airport difficult even for those with confirmed tickets.

These constraints are expected to complicate any rapid restart of aviation services, even if the runway and terminal become available, because airline crews and ground staff may still be unable to reach their posts.

Near-term challenges for stakeholders

For airport stakeholders, the near-term challenges are both practical and human:

• Foreign visitors planning to depart this week face uncertain timelines.
• Inbound travelers—including Nepali citizens, business travelers, and tourists—must remain where they are or reroute through other countries.
• Hospitals reliant on time-sensitive medical imports and patients needing international transfers face delays.
• Airlines will have to reposition aircraft and crew once the closure lifts, likely causing a stretched recovery period and longer-than-usual backlogs.

Aviation analysts warn that a prolonged flight suspension could drain critical tourism revenue during a key booking window and push airlines to temporarily redeploy aircraft. Nepal’s domestic carriers may face maintenance scheduling issues, as parts and technicians often move through international supply lines.

While charter flights could, in theory, help clear backlogs once the field reopens, those operations would still rely on the same security approvals and staffing that are currently constrained by the curfew and roadblocks.

Human rights groups have condemned the use of lethal force and urged restraint, while officials call for calm and dialogue.

For travelers, the political debate matters because it shapes the timeline for reopening. Authorities are monitoring conditions and will lift restrictions when they judge the airport safe. Until then, every plan hinges on security.

Travel guidance and consular support

With no reopening date, travelers should prepare for a rolling disruption lasting days—and possibly longer—depending on how quickly security conditions stabilize. For now, the clearest path is to stay informed, keep documentation handy, and use official channels for updates and assistance.

Recommended actions:

1. Check flight status often
   • Airlines post real-time notices on websites and social media with rebooking and refund instructions.
   • Keep your booking reference accessible and watch for emails or app alerts.
2. Follow embassy guidance
   • Enroll in your embassy’s alert system if available.
   • Defer travel to Nepal and avoid public areas as advised by diplomatic missions.
3. Use official transport and assistance
   • Take the free shuttle buses coordinated by the Nepal Tourism Board.
   • Seek help from Tourist Police and board staff at airport arrivals for lodging and safety guidance.
4. Shelter in place when advised
   • With curfew orders in effect, plan to stay indoors after designated hours.
   • Keep a charged phone, water, essential medication, and confirm hotel availability for extended stays.

Practical tips and claims:

• Airlines will likely prioritize rebooking by original travel date, fare class, and availability.
• If booked through an agent or platform, contact them; they may have dedicated waiver desks.
• Keep receipts for extra lodging or transport—carriers or insurers may allow claims under disruption policies.
• If repositioning to another international airport, ask your airline about endorsing your ticket to an alternate carrier or route.

For Nepali citizens and residents abroad planning to return through Kathmandu, expect rolling schedule changes. Where possible, consider holding off departure until the NOTAM is lifted and your airline confirms a new time. Families awaiting loved ones should check airline manifests and diversion notices; some flights already en route may have landed in nearby countries and will reattempt later.

Cargo, insurance, and economic ripple effects

Economic disruption extends beyond ticketed passengers:

• Cargo shipments—especially perishables and medicines—face delays affecting hospitals, clinics, and small businesses.
• Freight forwarders may attempt redirection through regional hubs when borders are open, but these routes carry higher costs and longer transit times.
• Travel insurers will review claims under trip interruption clauses; civil unrest provisions vary across policies—read terms carefully.

What to expect for reopening

Officials have not offered an estimate for reopening. Before movements resume, airport authorities must:

• Verify perimeter security
• Inspect facilities for damage
• Ensure enough staff can reach duty stations

When operations resume, the restart will likely be gradual:

1. Prioritize aircraft already on the ground
2. Follow with diverted flights
3. Resume new departures

Crowding is likely on the first service days, so build extra time into travel plans once announcements come.

For official operational notices, monitor the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s updates at the exact link provided: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Airlines will follow those notices with schedule adjustments and customer advisories. Tourism authorities will keep shuttle services in place as long as stranded passengers need transport between the airport and hotels.

Kathmandu airport has weathered closures before due to weather and infrastructure issues, but this shutdown is rooted in a political and security crisis that touches every part of daily life. The scale—marked by 19 reported deaths, 300+ injuries, ministerial resignations, and a valley-wide curfew—suggests recovery will depend less on technical checks and more on a broader return to calm.

Until that happens, the safest assumption is that the flight suspension at Tribhuvan International Airport will continue to disrupt travel plans, and that any path back to normal will be measured, deliberate, and centered on safety.