Kathmandu Airport Reopens After Protest, Stranded Tourists Get Hope
Tribhuvan Airport resumes flights as Nepal battles unrest and curfew.
Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) will resume both domestic and international flight operations at 6 pm on September 10, following a 24-hour closure prompted by violent anti-government protests that disrupted the nation. The decision, announced after a security committee meeting, comes as the Nepal Army imposed a nationwide curfew to curb escalating unrest that led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation on September 9.
The airport’s closure, initiated on Tuesday after protesters attempted to storm its premises, left hundreds of foreign nationals stranded, with smoke reported near the runway and surrounding areas. “We closed the airport due to security reasons,” said TIA spokesperson Rinji Sherpa.
The Himalayan Times reported that passengers are advised to contact airlines for updated schedules and to confirm ticket and baggage arrangements. Major carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Nepal Airlines, canceled flights, with Air India alone halting four of its six daily Delhi-Kathmandu services on Tuesday.
The Nepal Army, now overseeing airport security, urged stranded foreign nationals to contact nearby security posts for assistance. The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) called for a tourist-friendly environment, coordinating with the Nepal Tourism Board and the army to manage accommodations for affected travelers. HAN provided a hotline (9851031495) to facilitate support.
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The protests, fueled by a now-revoked social media ban and allegations of corruption, have plunged Nepal into chaos, with significant loss of life and property damage. As TIA resumes operations, the focus shifts to restoring normalcy for travelers while addressing the broader crisis gripping the nation.
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