Buddha Air Resumes Direct Kathmandu–Kolkata Flights from October
24th September 2025, Kathmandu
Buddha Air, a leading private airline in Nepal, has announced the official resumption of its direct flight service between Kathmandu and Kolkata, India.
Buddha Air Resumes Direct Flights
Buddha Air, a leading private airline in Nepal, has announced the official resumption of its direct flight service between Kathmandu and Kolkata, India. This marks a significant development for both the airline and Nepal’s tourism and aviation sectors. The service, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, re-establishes Buddha Air as the sole Nepali carrier operating on this route. The new flights are set to begin on October 19, 2025 (Kartik 2), offering a convenient and efficient travel option for business, leisure, and religious travelers.
Key Details of the Flight Service
The direct flights will operate three days a week—on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. This schedule is designed to provide flexibility and accessibility for a wide range of passengers. The flight from Kathmandu will depart at 7:00 a.m., while the return flight from Kolkata will leave at 9:20 a.m. local time. The short flight duration of approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes makes this a time-saving and appealing option for cross-border travel. The flights will be operated using Buddha Air’s modern ATR-72 aircraft. The airline has also set a one-way introductory fare of NPR 13,353 to encourage early bookings.
Enhancing Tourism and Cross-Border Connectivity
A major goal of the Kathmandu–Kolkata route is to promote tourism and cultural exchange. To this end, Buddha Air’s subsidiary, Buddha Holidays, has introduced special holiday packages for both Nepali and Indian travelers.
For Nepali travelers: The packages include guided tours to popular religious and cultural sites in India, such as Jagannath Puri, Sundarbans, and Gangasagar.
For Indian tourists: The airline is actively attracting Indian tourists by offering curated holiday packages to Nepal’s scenic and spiritual destinations.
This initiative is a strategic move to boost Nepal’s tourism sector, which has been recovering from the pandemic. Indian tourists have been a primary source of air travelers to Nepal, and by providing a direct flight to a major cultural hub like Kolkata, the airline aims to increase this flow. The service is expected to generate revenue for the tourism industry, strengthen business ties, and foster cultural exchange between the two neighboring countries. The resumption of this service comes at a crucial time when Nepal’s aviation sector is undergoing significant changes, including a new aviation policy draft and a greater focus on utilizing newly-built international airports.
Buddha Air’s Network and Commitment
The resumption of the Kathmandu–Kolkata route reinforces Buddha Air’s extensive network. The airline currently operates over 60 flights daily on various domestic routes, connecting major cities and remote destinations across Nepal. Internationally, the airline operates flights to Varanasi, India, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. By re-launching the Kolkata route, the airline becomes the only Nepali carrier to serve two international destinations in India. This strategic expansion solidifies its position as a market leader in Nepal’s aviation sector.
The previous launch of the Kathmandu–Kolkata route was on Baisakh 2, 2076 (April 15, 2019), but operations were suspended in December 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of flights now signifies a strong commitment to strengthening cross-border connectivity and supporting the recovery of the tourism industry. Passengers can look forward to a seamless travel experience with a reliable and well-established airline. The direct service eliminates the need for layovers, making it a highly convenient option for travelers. The initiative is a significant step toward improving Nepal’s international connectivity and promoting its status as a desirable tourist destination.
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