Nepal's main international airport at Kathmandu reopened for commercial operations on September 10, authorities announced, after it was closed a day earlier amid violent protests in the country that left at least 19 people dead and resulted in the resignation of the prime minister.
In a brief statement seen by ch-aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) announced that flights could resume following a decision by a meeting of the airport's security committee at 1530L (1100Z) on September 10. Passengers were advised to contact their respective airlines for more information.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, following the burning of government buildings amid protests led by youths dubbed the "Gen Z" group against corruption and a ban on social media platforms.
The airport, also known as Tribhuvan International Airport, was closed on September 9 until further notice due to safety risks. Domestic and international flights were suspended, and the Nepali Army was deployed to secure the airport premises.
Earlier in the day, CAAN had announced that the airport would remain closed until further notice, citing ongoing nationwide curfews, an adverse situation in the Kathmandu Valley, and hazardous smoke on the runway, reported The Himalayan Times.
ADS-B data showed that at least 18 airlines had cancelled flights to/from Kathmandu over the two days, including local carriers Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Shree Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, and Yeti Airlines, plus foreign airlines such as Qatar Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, Air India, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, Air India Express, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and China Eastern Airlines.
IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International), which earlier announced that its flights to/from Kathmandu would remain grounded, said on September 10 that its scheduled flights were being progressively restored following the reopening of the airport.
Buddha Air announced that its flight operations would resume early on September 11.
Air India offered passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to/from Kathmandu until September 11, a one-time waiver of rescheduling charges.
According to ch-aviation capacities data, the airlines with the highest market share at Kathmandu in terms of weekly airline seats are led by Buddha Air with 27.6%, followed (in order) by Yeti Air, Nepal Airlines, Shree Airlines, flydubai, Himalaya Airlines, Air India, IndiGo, Qatar Airways, and Air Arabia.
