Passengers Stranded At Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport Even After Operations Resume

Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 19:35 IST

The Tribhuvan Airport, situated in Kathmandu, was shut down on Tuesday after agitators attempted to enter the airport premises.

All flights at Tribhuvan Airport were cancelled amid unrest.

Thousands of passengers thronged Nepal’s Tribhuvan Airport (TIA) on Wednesday after airport authorities announced the resumption of flight operations, which were suspended due to the ongoing violent anti-government protests.

The decision came after a meeting of the airport’s Security Committee, which included aviation and military officials, Nepali news outlet Khabarhub reported.

However, confusion and frustration mounted as passengers were still denied entry despite assurances that operations had resumed.

According to authorities, the flight operations were supposed to resume every hour. However, passengers gathered at the gates said they were repeatedly told that flights would resume soon, but no clear schedule or access was provided.

“I’ve been waiting here for two days, sleeping on the airport floor. They keep saying flights will open every hour, but nothing has happened," a passenger told the news outlet.

Meanwhile, large crowds have assembled in the terminal area, with some families waiting for as long as three days in hopes of catching their flights. The uncertainty has sparked growing anger among travelers, who are demanding clearer communication and urgent management from authorities.

Airport Announces Resumption Of Operations

The international airport, situated in Kathmandu, was shut down on Tuesday after agitators attempted to enter the airport premises. The civil aviation authority cited safety concerns as the primary reason for the closure, following incidents of arson, vandalism, and smoke near the runway.

“We hereby inform that the flights suspended due to adverse circumstances would now be lifted, which has been made in accordance with the decision of the Tribhuvan Airport Security Committee meeting held today. Passengers traveling to the airport for flights are requested to contact their respective airline companies for flight information and to bring official airline tickets and identification documents with them when traveling," said airport authority in a statement.

The Nepal Army was deployed to provide security at the airport and throughout the capital, arresting 27 individuals involved in looting and violent acts.

The shutdown had left hundreds of foreign nationals stranded. Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet had cancelled flight services between India and Nepal.

The airport closure had affected both domestic and international flights, with passengers advised to stay in touch with airlines for updates.

Nepal Unrest

Nepal is reeling under a serious political crisis after two days of anti-government protests saw attacks on private residences of several high-profile leaders, the headquarters of political parties and even the Parliament.

Nepal’s political landscape was thrown into unprecedented turmoil on Tuesday, as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel resigned in the face of a furious and violent youth-led uprising.

The protests led by students appeared to reflect the growing public anger with the Oli dispensation over a range of issues, including a ban on social media and alleged inaction against corruption.

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