KATHMANDU: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) was closed on Wednesday until further notice amid widespread violent protests across Nepal, leaving hundreds of foreign nationals stranded.
Flight operations had already been partially suspended on Tuesday after demonstrators attempted to enter the airport premises. In an official notice, TIA authorities cited the “ongoing critical situation” as the reason for the closure and urged passengers and stakeholders to await further updates.
Initially, the airport had planned a temporary closure until 6 pm on Wednesday, but operations have now been halted indefinitely, according to news portal Khabarhub.
Following the unrest, the Nepal Army imposed nationwide restrictions, including a curfew, to prevent further violence. The move came a day after deadly anti-government protests led to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation.
The shutdown has disrupted both domestic and international flights, leaving many passengers stranded. Airlines have advised travelers to stay in contact with their respective carriers for the latest updates. Authorities said operations will resume only after security clearance is granted.
“We closed the airport due to security concerns, as we observed smoke in surrounding areas and on parts of the runway,” said Rinji Sherpa, TIA spokesperson.
The Nepal Army has urged stranded foreign nationals to contact the nearest security post for assistance. Hotels, tourism businesses, and related agencies have been requested to provide support to those affected.
The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) called on all stakeholders to help maintain a tourist-friendly environment and manage stranded travelers. HAN is coordinating with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Army and has provided a hotline—9851031495—for accommodation assistance.
On Tuesday night, the Nepal Army took control of the airport after protesters attempted to breach its premises. Air India, which operates six daily flights between New Delhi and Kathmandu, canceled four flights on Tuesday. IndiGo and Nepal Airlines also suspended their Delhi-Kathmandu services.
