Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the country’s sole international gateway, has resumed regular flight operations from Wednesday evening after being shut down temporarily due to tense circumstances caused by the Gen-Z-led movement. According to TIA General Manager Hanshraj Pandey, both domestic and international flights are now operating smoothly.
“Like in previous days, internal and international flights are being conducted as per the regular schedule. Security coordination has been strengthened to facilitate passenger movement,” Pandey said. He emphasized that the airport’s operational capacity remains unchanged, meaning additional flights cannot be introduced beyond the regular schedule.
Passenger Movement Managed with Identification Documents
With prohibitory orders still enforced in the Kathmandu Valley, airport authorities have made special arrangements to ensure hassle-free movement of air passengers. Travelers are being allowed to commute based on valid identification documents.
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has also taken initiatives to ease foreign tourists’ mobility. Shuttle buses have been arranged to safely transfer foreign travelers from the airport to their respective destinations. Likewise, airlines have been providing additional support to ensure that stranded passengers reach their flights on time.
Airlines Resume Operations to Clear Backlog of Stranded Passengers
Private airlines, including Buddha Air, Nepal’s leading domestic carrier, confirmed the resumption of normal services from early Thursday morning. Buddha Air’s Information Officer, Dipendra Kumar Karna, stated that regular flights are being conducted, and priority is being given to passengers who were unable to travel in the past two to three days.
“We are resuming operations as per the regular schedule. Many passengers who were stranded in Kathmandu and other destinations are now being cleared gradually,” Karna said.
Airport Closure and Reopening Decision
Tribhuvan International Airport had been closed since Bhadra 24 (September 9), following unrest triggered by the Gen-Z protests. The decision to shut down the airport was taken by the Airport Security Committee to ensure safety and prevent risks to travelers and aviation operations.
However, after assessing the situation, the committee held a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon and decided to reopen the airport from 3:30 PM. Consequently, both domestic and international flights were resumed by evening.
Travel Advisory for Passengers
The airport authority has urged passengers to remain in close contact with their respective airlines to confirm flight timings before arriving at the airport. Furthermore, it has requested all travelers to carry their official air tickets and valid identification documents during commutes.
Passengers are being asked to allocate sufficient time to reach the airport, given that traffic flow in the Valley remains disturbed due to the ongoing restrictions.
High Volume of Daily Flights at TIA
Tribhuvan International Airport is one of the busiest hubs in South Asia, handling more than 300 flights daily. Of these, over 250 are domestic flights, while international operations account for nearly 100 flights a day.
The airport operates from 6:00 AM until 1:00 AM, providing round-the-clock services to both domestic and international passengers. On the domestic side, 21 airlines, including 12 helicopter operators, provide air connectivity across Nepal. Internationally, 30 foreign airlines along with three Nepali international carriers operate regular flights to and from Kathmandu.
Importance of TIA in Current Circumstances
Given the prohibitory orders in Kathmandu Valley and the ongoing uncertainty due to political and social unrest, the functioning of Tribhuvan International Airport has been critical in ensuring uninterrupted mobility. For many, air travel remains the only reliable means of reaching destinations both within and outside the country.
The decision to resume flights has provided relief to thousands of passengers, including foreign tourists, business travelers, and Nepali citizens awaiting to fly abroad for work, study, or personal reasons.
Continued Security Coordination
Authorities have reassured the public that heightened security arrangements remain in place. Close coordination among airport officials, law enforcement agencies, and airlines is being maintained to safeguard both passengers and staff.
While no additional flights are being introduced beyond the existing schedule, authorities believe the resumption of regular services will gradually normalize air travel operations and ease the backlog caused by the temporary shutdown.
