Srilankan Airlines Suspends Flights To Kathmandu As Protests Disrupt Nepal’s Airport And Travel Services

Published on September 10, 2025

SriLankan Airlines has officially announced nan temporary suspension of each flights to Nepal pursuing nan closure of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) successful Kathmandu. The closure comes amid escalating protests successful Nepal, pinch demonstrations chiefly driven by nan country’s Gen Z population successful consequence to nan government’s determination to prohibition 26 societal media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The business successful Kathmandu has escalated quickly, causing important safety concerns astatine nan airport. As protests turned violent, SriLankan Airlines made nan determination to halt each flights to nan Nepali capital to guarantee nan information of its passengers and crew. The temporary suspension will stay successful spot until nan business successful Nepal stabilizes and normal airdrome operations resume.

The Impact of nan Unrest connected Flight Operations

The closure of Tribhuvan International Airport has caused wide disruptions to aerial travel, not only for SriLankan Airlines but besides for respective awesome world carriers. The safety risks presented by nan ongoing protests, including firecracker incidents adjacent craft and nan consequence of further disturbances, prompted airlines to make swift operational decisions.

SriLankan Airlines was nan first to denote nan suspension of services, citing nan volatile situation astatine nan airdrome and nan security risks posed to its aircraft. Other airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, person followed suit, canceling aliases rerouting flights to Kathmandu. Passengers connected these flights person been near stranded, and respective airlines person worked quickly to rumor refunds and rebooking options for affected customers.

Other Airlines Affected by nan Protests

While SriLankan Airlines was nan first to suspend services, nan Nepal unrest has impacted respective different awesome carriers:

1. Air India: Air India canceled each flights to Kathmandu owed to nan closure of nan airdrome and nan safety risks involved. The hose operates aggregate flights betwixt Delhi and Kathmandu and had to crushed flights owed to nan volatile situation astatine nan airport.
2. IndiGo: The low-cost carrier IndiGo suspended its flights to Kathmandu until 6:00 PM connected September 10, 2025. The hose initially suspended operations until noon but extended nan suspension owed to nan continued uncertainty surrounding nan business successful Nepal.
3. SpiceJet: SpiceJet besides announced nan cancellation of its flights to Nepal owed to nan protests. The hose informed passengers via SMS and email astir nan changes to their recreation schedules.
4. Thai Lion Air: Thai Lion Air had to divert its flight from Bangkok to Kathmandu to Lucknow owed to nan safety concerns caused by nan ongoing protests successful Kathmandu.
5. FlyDubai: FlyDubai’s formation FZ539, which was connected its measurement from Dubai to Kathmandu, was besides diverted to Lucknow owed to nan closure of TIA and nan ongoing protests.
6. Biman Bangladesh Airlines: Biman Bangladesh Airlines was different bearer affected by nan situation, pinch its flights to Kathmandu being impacted by nan airdrome closure.
7. Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways besides faced disruptions, pinch its Kathmandu-bound flight forced to return to its origin owed to nan safety concerns surrounding nan protests.

Passenger Impact and Travel Advice

The ongoing protests successful Nepal person disrupted nan recreation plans of thousands of passengers. SriLankan Airlines, on pinch different carriers, has urged affected passengers to contact airlines for updates connected flight cancellations, rebooking, and refund options. Travelers are encouraged to enactment informed by checking official hose websites and government advisories for nan latest updates connected nan business successful Nepal.

Why nan Suspension Was Necessary

The closure of Tribhuvan International Airport was driven by expanding concerns complete passenger and craft safety. Protesters had reportedly utilized firecrackers adjacent aircraft, which prompted security measures astatine nan airport. These actions led to nan contiguous grounding of flights and an summation successful security protocols by airdrome authorities. Given nan rising tensions, SriLankan Airlines made nan determination to suspend its flights to guarantee nan information of some passengers and crew.

A Ripple Effect: Airlines Around nan World Respond

The impermanent suspension of SriLankan Airlines’ flights is portion of a wider trend of carriers halting flights to Kathmandu owed to nan increasing unrest. In nan days pursuing nan protests, flight cancellations and diversions affected galore airlines pinch routes to Nepal. Travelers readying to sojourn Nepal aliases transit done Kathmandu person been advised to cheque pinch their respective airlines for alternative recreation arrangements.

Looking Ahead: When Will Normal Operations Resume?

The Nepalese government has not yet issued a timeline for nan reopening of Tribhuvan International Airport, which remains closed owed to nan ongoing protests and information concerns. SriLankan Airlines and different carriers are monitoring nan situation intimately and will resume flights erstwhile nan information protocols are successful spot and nan unrest has subsided. Until then, affected passengers are urged to enactment successful interaction pinch airlines for updates connected formation schedules and recreation options.

Conclusion: A Need for Patience and Flexibility

The temporary suspension of flights by SriLankan Airlines and respective different carriers reflects nan serious information concerns arising from nan unrest successful Nepal. While travelers look disruption and uncertainty, airlines are moving to guarantee nan safety of their operations and passengers. Travelers are advised to stay patient, enactment informed, and activity intimately pinch airlines to resoluteness immoderate issues arising from nan situation.

As nan business successful Nepal continues to evolve, affected passengers are encouraged to regularly cheque for updates from airlines and official authorities to guarantee they are well-prepared for immoderate changes to their recreation plans.

[Image credit: SriLankan Airlines]