Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Regular international flights from Nepal to Gulf destinations were cancelled for the second consecutive day on Sunday, disrupting travel plans of around 1,600 passengers as escalating war tensions in the Middle East continue to impact regional airspace and airport operations.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, scheduled departures and arrivals involving multiple Gulf carriers could not operate due to ongoing security risks linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Flights operated by Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia (Sharjah and Abu Dhabi sectors), Qatar Airways and Flydubai were cancelled, affecting both outbound and inbound passengers.
Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, confirmed that approximately 1,600 passengers were impacted on Sunday alone, including those scheduled to travel to Gulf countries and those returning to Nepal.
He stated that the heightened military tensions in several Arab states, including reported attacks and temporary airport closures in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, have made regular operations unsafe. As a result, airlines have suspended services until further notice.
Regional airspace restrictions and the temporary closure of certain Middle Eastern airports have forced airlines to cancel or reroute flights. Aviation authorities are closely monitoring developments, as missile exchanges and retaliatory strikes have raised safety concerns for civilian aircraft operating across Gulf corridors — one of the busiest transit routes for Nepali migrant workers.
The cancellations come amid reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike in Tehran during military operations linked to the ongoing conflict. While international agencies are still verifying details, the development has further intensified instability across the region.
The Gulf region remains a primary labor destination for Nepali migrant workers, and any prolonged disruption in air connectivity could affect worker mobility, employment schedules, and potentially remittance inflows — a key pillar of Nepal’s economy.
Aviation officials said further flight schedules will depend on security assessments and coordination with international aviation authorities. Airlines are expected to issue updates regarding rescheduling, refunds, or alternative arrangements.
Passengers have been advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines and monitor official notices before proceeding to the airport.
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