Nepal’s leading private airline, Buddha Air, is set to resume direct flights between Kathmandu and Kolkata from Kartik 2 (October 19, 2025). After a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline is reintroducing this vital international connection that is expected to benefit both tourism and business sectors.
Flights Returning After Six Years
Buddha Air had first launched flights to Kolkata on Baishakh 2, 2076 (April 15, 2019). However, the service was suspended later in 2019 following the outbreak of the global pandemic, which forced airlines worldwide to halt or reduce their operations. Now, nearly six years later, Buddha Air is preparing to re-establish this important link between Nepal and the capital city of India’s West Bengal state.
The airline announced that it will operate the flights using its ATR-72 aircraft, a reliable short-haul carrier suitable for regional destinations. Initially, there will be three weekly flights, on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Flight Schedule and Duration
According to the schedule, flights will depart from Kathmandu at 7:00 AM and return from Kolkata at 9:20 AM local time. The journey between the two cities is expected to take around 1 hour and 35 minutes, making it a convenient option for travelers who previously had to rely on longer connecting flights through other Indian cities.
Affordable Fares and Holiday Packages
Buddha Air has set the one-way airfare at Rs. 13,353. Alongside the flight service, the airline is also offering a range of holiday and pilgrimage packages to attract travelers. These include outbound packages for Nepali tourists visiting India’s religious and cultural sites, as well as inbound packages for Indian tourists wishing to explore Nepal’s attractions.
Through its sister company, Buddha Holidays, the airline will introduce travel packages covering destinations such as Jagannath Puri, Sunderbans, and Ganga Sagar for Nepali passengers flying to Kolkata. Similarly, Indian travelers can enjoy curated tours across Nepal’s cultural, natural, and spiritual sites.
A Unique Advantage in the Market
Buddha Air is currently the only Nepali airline offering direct flights to Kolkata. This gives the carrier a competitive advantage in capturing both leisure and business travelers on this route. The company is optimistic that the service will not only ease travel for individuals and families but also promote cross-border tourism and cultural exchange.
Officials at Buddha Air emphasized that the re-launch aligns with the company’s vision of expanding regional connectivity while strengthening Nepal’s international aviation presence.
Boost for Religious and Cultural Tourism
For Nepali passengers, the flight opens access to some of India’s most significant pilgrimage sites. The packages offered will particularly appeal to those interested in religious tourism, with destinations like Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha, the Sunderbans mangrove forest, and the holy Ganga Sagar confluence being part of the offerings.
On the other hand, Indian tourists can use the service to conveniently visit Nepal’s major attractions, including Kathmandu Valley’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, Lumbini (the birthplace of Lord Buddha), and the Himalayan trekking regions. By doing so, Buddha Air hopes to promote Nepal as a premier travel destination for Indian travelers.
Contribution to Nepal’s Tourism Revival
Nepal’s tourism industry is still in the process of recovering from the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct international connections such as the Kathmandu–Kolkata route are expected to play an important role in this revival. Buddha Air believes that the combination of flight services and customized holiday packages will increase tourist inflows and support the country’s economic growth.
Tourism experts point out that regional connectivity with Indian cities holds enormous potential, given India’s large outbound tourism market. The Kolkata route, in particular, is strategically important because of the city’s cultural influence, economic significance, and its role as a hub for travelers heading towards eastern India and neighboring regions.
Existing International and Domestic Operations
At present, Buddha Air operates direct flights from Kathmandu to Varanasi, another prominent Indian destination, three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. With the reintroduction of the Kolkata route, the airline is gradually expanding its international footprint.
Domestically, Buddha Air remains Nepal’s busiest private carrier, with over 70 flights daily across the country. It connects major cities such as Pokhara, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, and Bharatpur, among others, thereby ensuring extensive coverage within Nepal.
Looking Ahead
Buddha Air’s decision to restart the Kathmandu–Kolkata flights reflects both the growing demand for regional air connectivity and the airline’s long-term strategy to serve as a bridge between Nepal and its neighboring markets. The company aims to gradually expand its international services, while continuing to dominate the domestic market.
For travelers, this means more convenience, shorter travel times, and access to well-designed holiday packages. For Nepal’s tourism sector, it offers another opportunity to attract Indian visitors, strengthen cultural ties, and revitalize the economy.
As the airline resumes this long-awaited service, there is growing optimism that the Kathmandu–Kolkata connection will not only restore what was lost during the pandemic years but also open new possibilities for bilateral tourism and business exchanges in the years ahead.
