Tribhuvan International Airport reopens 24 hours after GenZ protests in Nepal
Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa said the suspension was a security precaution after smoke was seen near parts of the runway.
Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa said the suspension was a security precaution after smoke was seen near parts of the runway.
Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa said the suspension was a security precaution after smoke was seen near parts of the runway.
Kathmandu: Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) announced it will resume services from 6 pm on Wednesday, nearly 24 hours after operations were suspended due to violent anti-government protests.
The shutdown, which came after agitators attempted to enter the airport premises, had disrupted both domestic and international flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa said the suspension was a security precaution after smoke was seen near parts of the runway.
In a notice, the TIA management urged passengers to reconfirm their travel with respective airlines. Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines had earlier cancelled flights from Delhi to Kathmandu. Air India Express said passengers booked to travel to or from Nepal until September 17 can reschedule their journeys without fees or opt for a full refund.
“In view of the prevailing situation in Nepal, we are offering guests booked to travel to or from Nepal up to 17th September 2025, the support and flexibility to freely reschedule their journeys to any future travel date with a complete waiver of change fees or any fare difference. Alternatively, guests who elect to cancel their bookings for these dates would receive a full refund to their original mode of payment or travel agent.
This support can be accessed easily through the airline’s AI-powered chat assistant, Tia, by simply typing #NepalTravel. Tia is available on the Air India Express website (www.airindiaexpress.com), WhatsApp, and the mobile app.
Our operations to and from Nepal remain unhindered beyond tomorrow. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and convenience of our guests and will continue to monitor the situation closely," an Air India spokesperson said.
The Nepal Army, which took control of the airport on Tuesday night, has appealed to stranded foreign nationals to contact security posts for help. It has also asked hotels and tourism operators to extend assistance. The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) set up a hotline (9851031495) for accommodation support and said it is coordinating with the Nepal Tourism Board and the army to manage the situation.
The airport decision came hours after the army imposed a nationwide curfew and restrictive orders to prevent further violence, a day after deadly protests forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign.