Nepal Protest: The political crisis and violent protests in Nepal on Tuesday are now affecting air travel.
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has been shut down due to growing unrest across the country following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and a nationwide social media ban.
As a result, several airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have cancelled their flights to Nepal.
Air India Cancels Delhi-Kathmandu Flights
Air India announced on Tuesday that multiple flights between Delhi and Kathmandu have been cancelled due to the current situation. Cancelled flights include:
AI2231/2232
AI2219/2220
AI217/218
AI211/212
The airline said it is closely monitoring the developments and will provide updates to passengers as the situation evolves.
IndiGo Cancels Flights; Some Diverted to Lucknow
IndiGo has also cancelled all flights to Kathmandu. Flights already en route were diverted to Lucknow Airport for security reasons.
After refueling in Lucknow, the planes returned to their original departure points, such as Delhi and Kolkata.
Akasa Air Not Affected
Akasa Air confirmed that it does not operate flights to Nepal, so its passengers are unaffected by the current cancellations. Only Air India and IndiGo customers are facing disruptions.
Why Is the Situation Getting Worse in Nepal?
Tensions have been rising in Nepal since last week after the government banned social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. This move sparked public anger and protests.
On Monday, the protests in Kathmandu turned violent. The Parliament building was surrounded, and 19 people died in police firing.
Following these events, PM KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday. A curfew has been imposed in Kathmandu, and the airport has been temporarily shut down as a security measure.
Passengers Face Travel Troubles
Travellers headed to Nepal are now facing serious issues. Many daily flights operate between Delhi and Kathmandu, mostly used by tourists and business travellers.
With flights suddenly cancelled, passengers were left waiting for hours at airports and had their plans disrupted.
What Happens Next?
Both Air India and IndiGo have asked passengers to keep checking their websites or customer care for updates on flight status and ticket changes. Air India has promised to resume services once conditions improve.
Meanwhile, aviation experts say that the current instability in Nepal may impact tourism and air traffic in the near future.
