Nepal crisis: Delhi-Kathmandu skies closed, travel cancellations trickle in

Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines, and SpiceJet suspend flights; MEA advises Indian citizens in Nepal to stay indoors

India on Tuesday advised its citizens to defer travel to Nepal until the situation stabilises, after violent protests forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign. Flights between Delhi and Kathmandu were cancelled by Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines and SpiceJet as demonstrators clashed with police and vandalised government buildings.

 

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 208 flights per week were scheduled between India and Kathmandu in September. Indian carriers on the route include Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet.

Air India operates 84 flights a week on the India–Kathmandu sector, IndiGo 50, while Air India Express and SpiceJet each run 14 weekly services, Cirium noted.

 

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised.”

 

Amid the unrest, airlines cancelled multiple services to and from Kathmandu. A spokesperson for Air India said: “In view of the current situation prevailing in Kathmandu, the following flights AI 2231/2232, AI 2219/2220, AI 217/218 and AI 211/212 operating on the Delhi–Kathmandu–Delhi route have been cancelled today. We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.”

 

IndiGo posted on X that Kathmandu airport had been closed and “all flights to and from Kathmandu stand suspended as of now”. It added that affected passengers could opt for alternative flights or claim refunds, while the airline was “closely monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities to resume operations at the earliest”.

 

Nepal Airlines also cancelled its services, while SpiceJet said in a post on X: “Due to the prevailing situation in Kathmandu, our flights to and from Kathmandu stand cancelled for September 10, 2025. The information will be communicated to all passengers via SMS/email on their registered contact details.”

 

While the immediate impact on demand was unclear, travel portals said cancellations had begun trickling in after protests broke out and Nepal closed its borders to tourists.

 

India is Nepal’s largest source of tourists.

 

Portals said refund processing had begun and travel to the Himalayan nation was expected to recover once peace was restored. “We are closely monitoring the situation in Nepal following the recent developments and the advisory issued by the Indian government,” Bharatt Malik, senior vice-president, flights and hotel business at Yatra Online.

 

“We will be working with our airline partners to support customers who have upcoming bookings and will continue to act in their best interest, offering support and flexibility as needed,” he added.

 

The MEA advised Indian citizens currently in Nepal to remain indoors, avoid public gatherings and exercise caution. Nationals were also urged to follow safety guidance issued by Nepalese authorities and stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

 

“In case of any assistance required, please call the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, on the following helpline numbers: 977–980 860 2881; 977–981 032 6134,” it said. India expressed grief over the loss of lives in Nepal and said it hoped the crisis would be resolved peacefully.