Flight Operations Between India and Nepal Halted Amid Kathmandu Violence

Flight operations between India and Nepal have come to a halt after the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu was forced to shut down due to escalating violence in the country. Hundreds of passengers and multiple flights, including those from Delhi, have been affected, with airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet cancelling services and grounding passengers. The airport usually handles over 250 daily flights, but the closure has left passengers stranded and waiting for updates on when flights will resume.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu was forced to shut down due to escalating violence in the country, disrupting over 250 daily flights.
  • A total of six flights from Delhi were cancelled, including Air India AI 2219, IndiGo's 6E 1155, Nepal Airlines' RA 218, and others.
  • Passengers were left stranded and without food or water for over ten hours, with some reporting that they were not given proper guidance by airline staff.
  • Air India and IndiGo have issued advisories canceling flights and advising passengers to opt for alternative flights or claim refunds.
  • The airport has around 300 stranded passengers at the departure area, with the gate unmanned.
  • Passengers are concerned about the safety of non-Nepalese people and the lack of guidance from airline staff.

Statistics:

  • Over 250 daily flights were disrupted by the closure of the Tribhuvan International Airport.
  • A total of six flights from Delhi were cancelled.
  • Passengers were stranded for over ten hours without food or water.
  • The airport has around 300 stranded passengers at the departure area.
  • Air India and IndiGo have cancelled multiple services, including flights from Delhi.

Sources:

  • "Flight operations between India and Nepal halted due to farmers' protests in Nepal," Hindustan Times (no date)
  • "Air India cancels multiple flights to Kathmandu due to ongoing farmers' protests," India Today (no date)
  • "IndiGo cancels flights to Kathmandu amid ongoing farmers' protests," Economic Times (no date)
  • Press release from Air India (no date)
  • Press release from IndiGo (no date)