In a swift response to the spiraling US-Iran-Israel conflict, Nepal has halted more than a dozen flights to Gulf destinations, stranding passengers and underscoring the global fallout from Middle East volatility.
Saturday saw Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) cancel 14 services to and from West Asian cities, as nations in the region sealed off airspace after Iran’s counteroffensives against US bases and Israel.
Operated by CAAN, TIA listed cancellations across Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines (six flights), Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Flydubai, and Kuwait Airways. The move came amid widespread aviation shutdowns triggered by the intensifying military exchanges.
Terminals swelled with displaced flyers awaiting reroutes or refunds. Himalaya Airlines alerted via social media: ‘All Dubai, Dammam, and Doha flights cancelled due to Middle East airspace restrictions. Stay tuned to our website and channels.’
Nepal Airlines specified cancellations for its Dubai and Doha roundtrips on February 28 and March 1, promising Dammam updates soon.
Airport advisories had preceded the chaos, imploring confirmations with airlines. Now, staff are liaising with operators to ease passenger flows and provide assistance.
This disruption hits hard for Nepal, where Gulf flights ferry essential remittances from expatriate laborers. With no clear end to the hostilities, experts warn of extended halts, advising flexibility and real-time checks for those with upcoming travel plans.