(KATHMANDU) Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, shut down all domestic and international flights at about 12:45 pm local time on September 9, 2025, after authorities cited “unprecedented and serious” security threats around the country’s main aviation gateway. Officials said the closure will remain in effect “until further notice,” with no reopening timeline.
The decision followed fast‑escalating nationwide protests, fires, and violent clashes near the airport. The Nepali Army has been deployed to secure the facility and nearby areas as the capital’s streets remain tense and movement is restricted under curfew orders.
Civil aviation officials confirmed that aircraft already in the air were permitted to land, but all further departures and arrivals were halted. Major carriers serving the route—including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet—suspended Kathmandu services, with some flights diverted to Lucknow, India. The halt affects every route in and out of Nepal’s sole international hub, cutting off regular access for tourists, business travelers, aid workers, and residents trying to exit or return to the country.
According to aviation and security experts, the indefinite closure of Tribhuvan International Airport places pressure on Nepal’s economy and creates a humanitarian worry if the unrest continues for days or weeks.
For official status updates and security announcements, travelers and airlines can monitor the CAAN website at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Officials said teams are reassessing conditions continuously. In parallel, embassies urged their nationals to stay in safe locations, avoid demonstrations, and remain in close contact with consular services for any evacuation guidance if needed.
Airport closure and immediate security measures
Authorities shut the airport after fires and violent unrest were reported near the perimeter and across Kathmandu Valley. While security services worked to put out blazes and clear roads, leaders concluded that open flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport posed too much risk to passengers, crew, and ground teams.
The airport is more than a travel hub; it is also a logistics lifeline. When it closes, the shock ripples through tourism, trade, medical supply chains, and foreign‑worker mobility routes.
Key operational points confirmed by authorities and airlines:
– Full suspension of domestic and international operations at Tribhuvan International Airport, effective the afternoon of September 9, 2025.
– Nepali Army deployment to secure airport grounds and surrounding roads.
– Diversions of in‑flight aircraft to alternate airports; select services rerouted to Lucknow.
– Suspension of Kathmandu flights by major regional airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet.
– Rebooking and refunds being offered by airlines; travelers should contact carriers directly.
– Free shuttle buses run by the Nepal Tourism Board and Tourist Police between the airport and major hotels for stranded passengers.
– Curfews and movement limits across Kathmandu Valley, applying to locals and foreigners.
The Civil Aviation Authority said it will only lift the halt once the environment is stable, access roads are safe, and airport teams can work without facing risks from fires, crowds, or clashes. In the meantime, airport police and army units are guarding terminals, aprons, and key access points to prevent intrusions or sabotage.
Political trigger and scope of unrest
The root crisis grew from a government‑imposed ban on 26 social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—announced on September 8, 2025. The ban was later rolled back after a storm of public criticism, but by then protests had expanded into a broader anti‑corruption and anti‑government movement driven largely by Gen Z youth.
Crowds defied curfews, and reports from the city describe large gatherings, burning barricades, and confrontations with police. According to official tallies shared with the media:
– At least 19 people have died, including 16 in Kathmandu.
– More than 200 people have been injured, many during clashes where police opened fire.
Government buildings, parliament offices, and party compounds were attacked or burned, and several senior leaders’ homes were targeted. In a swift political fallout, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, citing the “extraordinary situation,” and local media report he is preparing to leave the country.
Support and services at the airport
On the ground at Tribhuvan International Airport, the immediate priority is keeping people safe and preventing property damage. The Nepal Tourism Board placed staff and Tourist Police in the arrivals area to help passengers with basic needs and local transport.
Operational support measures include:
– Free shuttle buses moving stranded travelers between the airport and major hotels.
– Tourism authorities helping match families with open rooms and ensuring quick transport away from unrest hotspots.
– Advisories asking visitors to stay in their hotels, keep a low profile, and maintain contact with their embassies.
Airlines serving Kathmandu have issued advisories, offered rebooking and refunds, and told passengers to check their websites and call centers for updates. For example, SpiceJet helplines include +91 (0)124 4983410 and +91 (0)124 7101600; similar channels are open at other carriers.
Many travelers are also dealing with knock‑on issues such as expired visas, overstay concerns, or expiring onward tickets. While immigration fines or penalties have not been officially addressed, embassies often coordinate with local authorities during mass disruptions to avoid punishing people who could not leave on time. Travelers should keep copies of their tickets and any airline notices to show good faith if exit questions arise later.
Advice for travelers, students, and foreign workers
The shutdown is a hard stop for tourists, students, foreign workers, and families. Actions to take while the closure remains in place:
- Keep your passport, boarding pass, and flight receipts together.
- Use official airline channels to rebook or request refunds. Do not rely on third‑party social media posts.
- Register with your embassy and sign up for local alerts.
- Use the free shuttle buses at the airport to reach safe hotels in central areas away from clashes.
- Keep essential supplies—medications, phone chargers, water—ready in case curfews or transport stops delay movement.
Special considerations:
– Students and foreign workers should ask employers or universities for written confirmation of disruption to help with border checks later.
– If you face imminent visa expiry, keep proof of flight cancellations, airline notices about the airport closure, and hotel invoices showing continuous presence in Kathmandu.
– Contact the embassy or consulate of your next destination to ask about visa flexibility or reissue options where applicable.
Immigration, visas, and documentation
Immigration timelines are especially sensitive. People who must depart Nepal by a certain date to avoid overstaying may struggle to do so while Tribhuvan International Airport remains closed.
Helpful documents to retain:
– Proof of flight cancellations or diversions.
– Written notices from airlines about the airport closure.
– Email confirmations of rebooking requests.
– Hotel invoices showing continuous presence in Kathmandu.
These records can support later requests for grace periods, visa reissues, or entry flexibility from other countries.
Economic impact: tourism, cargo, and local businesses
The shutdown affects more than transportation; it strikes the economy directly.
Impacts include:
– Hotels, trekking agencies, guides, and drivers facing sudden cancellations and cash‑flow stress.
– Restaurants closing early to respect curfews and keep staff safe.
– Travel insurers fielding claims about trip interruptions due to civil unrest.
– Cargo and trade disruption for medical supplies, lab reagents, and perishables that normally depend on air freight.
Some mitigation options:
– Insured travelers should review policy clauses related to riots and government action and request written advice from insurers.
– Cargo may reroute via land borders, but the same unrest may slow trucks and endanger drivers.
Consular outreach and evacuation planning
Diplomatic missions have urged citizens to shelter in place and avoid crowds. Consular teams are:
– Tracking hospital capacity and safe corridors.
– Reviewing options in nearby cities for emergency flights once clearance exists.
However, without a secure runway, safe access roads, and stable air traffic control, evacuation plans remain on hold. A secure, orderly reopening would require alignment of police, army, airport teams, and civil aviation officials.
What to expect when flights resume
Airlines are preparing rolling rebooking windows. The first flights after a closure often prioritize passengers whose original trips were closest to the shutdown date.
Likely early recovery features:
– Short booking windows for reprotected itineraries.
– Dynamic fares as demand surges and seat supply lags.
– Limited baggage allowances on early recovery flights.
– Possible caps on same‑day airport changes to control crowds.
Long‑haul services may take longer to restart due to insurance checks, crew duty limits, maintenance, and ground handling constraints. The first wave will probably be regional flights with quick turnarounds.
Safety benchmarks required before reopening
Aviation and security experts list several safety conditions that must be met:
– Removal of roadblocks and debris on key access roads to terminals.
– Stable perimeter security to prevent intrusions.
– Verified runway and taxiway integrity after nearby fires.
– Staff ability to reach duty posts during limited‑hour curfews.
– Airspace management free from drone or laser threats.
Community response and local assistance
Local volunteers and community groups have been providing immediate help:
– Delivering bottled water and basic supplies to stranded families.
– Helping older travelers find lifts to hotels.
– Tour guides translating airport notices for non‑Nepali speakers.
These grassroots actions are helping while larger systems remain paused.
Practical checklist for travelers
- Keep your phone charged and carry a power bank.
- Store the numbers for your airline, embassy, and hotel at the top of your call list.
- Ensure you have at least a one‑week supply of necessary medicines.
- Verify gate and timing details through your airline before leaving your hotel if limited airport access resumes.
- Carry proof of your flight and ID in case curfew waivers are announced later.
Larger outlook and final takeaways
The political shock after Prime Minister Oli’s resignation adds to uncertainty. Protest leaders want sweeping changes, and institutions are under strain. Whether a new administration can calm the streets quickly will directly affect when Kathmandu can reopen its main airport.
Tribhuvan International Airport is more than metal and glass; it is a bridge for students, workers, trekkers, and families. Its closure underscores how quickly a national crisis can touch everyday life.
Until flights resume, the practical steps are clear:
– Talk directly with airlines for rebooking and refunds.
– Use free shuttle buses from the airport to reach safe accommodation.
– Monitor official updates from CAAN, the Nepal Tourism Board, and embassies.
– Keep all documentation of cancellations and curfews to support any later immigration or visa requests.
Officials’ steady advice: stay in safe locations, avoid protests, keep in touch with airlines and embassies, and follow updates from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Nepal Tourism Board. While no one can say how long this will last, acting calmly, keeping good records, and relying on official information will help travelers move forward once the airport reopens.
This Article in a Nutshell
Tribhuvan International Airport closed all domestic and international operations around 12:45 pm on September 9, 2025, after escalating nationwide protests, fires and violent clashes threatened airport security. The Nepali Army secured terminals and access roads while civil aviation allowed airborne aircraft to land but stopped further departures and arrivals. Major carriers suspended Kathmandu services, with some flights diverted to Lucknow. The shutdown disrupted tourism, cargo and medical supply chains and left passengers stranded; airlines are offering rebooking and refunds and the Nepal Tourism Board and Tourist Police provide shuttle support. At least 19 people died and more than 200 were injured during unrest; Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned amid the crisis. Authorities say reopening requires cleared roads, stable perimeter security, verified runway integrity and staff access during curfews. Travelers should keep documentation, contact airlines and embassies, and monitor CAAN and Nepal Tourism Board updates.
