9th September 2025, Kathmandu
Buddha Air, one of Nepal’s leading private airlines, has issued an urgent advisory to its passengers, acknowledging the potential for significant disruptions to its flight schedules.
Buddha Air Urgent Notice
This is a direct result of the ongoing curfew and civil unrest in Kathmandu Valley and other affected regions. The airline has advised passengers to utilize its official communication channels for any necessary rescheduling or cancellations, prioritizing safety and flexibility during this period of uncertainty. This move highlights how the ripple effect of the recent Gen-Z protests, which have already impacted financial and commercial activities, has now reached the domestic aviation sector.
Navigating Travel during the Crisis
The airline’s advisory is a crucial resource for travelers who are now facing significant challenges. The notice provides a clear and direct way for passengers to manage their flight plans. The official contact channels are provided as a direct line for passengers to make changes to their tickets, reschedule their flights, or request cancellations, mitigating the inconvenience caused by the current situation. The airline has also urged travelers to present their flight tickets at the airport and to arrive on time, but only once security conditions normalize. This is a critical point, as it places the responsibility on passengers to assess the safety of their travel path to the airport before attempting to travel.
The core challenge for both the airline and its passengers is the curfew imposed by the government, which makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for people to move freely, especially to a major transportation hub like Tribhuvan International Airport. The security situation, marked by heavy police presence, barricades, and the potential for clashes, adds a layer of risk that makes travel unsafe. The airline’s notice is a proactive measure to manage this risk by shifting the focus from maintaining a strict flight schedule to ensuring passenger safety and operational flexibility.
The Broader Impact on Domestic Aviation
The challenges faced by Buddha Air are representative of the broader issues confronting Nepal’s entire domestic aviation sector. The airline, which operates a vast network of domestic routes, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in key hubs like Kathmandu. The key operational challenges include:
Passenger Access: The curfew and street protests have restricted the movement of people, preventing many passengers from reaching airports on time.
Safety Concerns: The presence of large crowds, protests, and clashes with security forces poses a significant safety risk for passengers trying to travel.
Operational Disruptions: The difficulties are not limited to passengers; flight crews, ground staff, and other essential personnel also face challenges in commuting to and from airports, which can lead to further flight delays and cancellations.
This is not the first time that Buddha Air has had to contend with external crises. The airline has a history of managing operations during various emergencies, including nationwide strikes (bandhs), severe weather events, and COVID-19 lockdowns. This experience has likely shaped the airline’s current approach, which emphasizes transparent communication and a focus on passenger safety.
The disruption to the aviation sector has broader economic implications for Nepal. The suspension of domestic flights affects not only individual travelers but also the tourism industry, which relies heavily on domestic air travel. It also disrupts business mobility and cargo logistics, which are crucial for the transport of goods and services across the country. The current instability, therefore, poses a significant threat to Nepal’s economic recovery and development, especially in sectors like tourism and agriculture that depend on a reliable transport network.
Advice for Travelers and Sector Outlook
For anyone planning to travel within Nepal, the advisory from Buddha Air provides a clear set of guidelines. The most important message is to prioritize safety above all else. This includes checking the latest flight status through official channels, contacting the airline before attempting to travel, and staying updated on local curfew guidelines. While the airline has not specified when normal services will resume, its commitment to resuming operations as soon as conditions stabilize offers a glimmer of hope for a return to normalcy.
The ongoing situation underscores the fragility of Nepal’s transport and economic systems to socio-political unrest. The coordinated response from various sectors—from the Nepal Stock Exchange to the Stock Brokers Association and now leading airlines—illustrates how a single event can have cascading effects throughout the economy. For the aviation sector, this period of unrest is a major test of its crisis management capabilities. The ability of airlines like Buddha Air to effectively communicate, adapt to changing circumstances, and prioritize passenger safety will be crucial in navigating this turbulent period and maintaining public trust in the long run.
For More: Buddha Air Urgent Notice