Relief for Tourists as Kathmandu Airport to Resume Operations at 6 PM
The violence on street came to an end when the Army was called out in cities including Kathmandu
Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will resume operations from Wednesday evening at 6 pm, bringing relief to hundreds of stranded tourists after a 24-hour shutdown triggered by violent anti-government protests.
Earlier in the day, airport authorities had announced that TIA would remain closed until further notice. The revised decision came after a meeting of the airport’s security committee, which cleared both domestic and international flights to operate.
“We had closed the airport due to security reasons as we saw smoke in some areas surrounding the airport as well as parts of the runway,” said Rinji Sherpa, spokesperson of TIA.
The Nepal Army had imposed nationwide restrictive orders and enforced a curfew on Wednesday to prevent further violence, a day after deadly demonstrations forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation. On Tuesday night, the Army also took control of the airport premises after agitators attempted to storm the facility.
During the closure, airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and Nepal Airlines cancelled multiple flights between Delhi and Kathmandu, leaving hundreds of foreign nationals stranded. Passengers have now been advised to contact their respective airlines for updated flight schedules, ticket confirmations, and baggage arrangements.
The Nepal Army has also appealed to stranded foreign nationals to approach the nearest security post for assistance. It has further urged hotels and tourism entrepreneurs to extend help to tourists during the ongoing crisis.
The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Army, has set up emergency management facilities. A hotline number (+977-9851031495) has been issued for tourists in need of accommodation or other support.
“As the country is passing through a difficult situation and the airport remains closed, it is necessary to manage the stranded tourists,” HAN said in its statement, while urging stakeholders to ensure a tourist-friendly environment despite the unrest.
