Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu will undergo a major upgrade from November 8, 2024, to March 31, 2025, reducing operational time by 10 hours a day. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has introduced a revised winter schedule, allowing flights only from 8 am to 10 pm, leading to a 35% cut in daily domestic flights, from 356 to 230.

CAAN’s schedule now allocates hourly time slots for each airline, with Buddha Air granted the highest allotment at 139 flights per day, followed by Yeti Airlines at 41. This change is expected to affect early-morning mountain flights, a significant revenue source for airlines, especially during the high-demand season in November. Yeti Airlines has begun exploring options to run mountain flights from Bhadrapur or Biratnagar airports to minimize disruptions.

Fares and Service Adjustments

Despite reduced flights, major airlines such as Buddha and Yeti Air have confirmed they have no immediate plans to raise fares, stating that prices will remain within CAAN’s regulated limits. Airlines are coordinating to maintain service levels under restricted time slots, especially for high-demand flights. CAAN, along with the Air Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), has emphasized the need to avoid fare hikes to prevent hardship for passengers.

"We understand the challenges passengers may face with the reduced schedule, and we’re committed to maintaining fare stability as much as possible," said Dipendra Karna, Communications Manager for Buddha Air.

“We’re making every effort to accommodate passengers within the revised schedule without impacting prices,” added Yeti Airlines spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula.

Long-term Benefits and Completion Goals

Airline officials acknowledge that these temporary limitations are necessary for TIA’s long-term efficiency and capacity improvements. AOAN has expressed optimism regarding the upgrades, despite operational challenges from low visibility and winter fog. The AOAN has urged CAAN to complete the upgrades by March 2025 as planned, allowing TIA to fully operate by the spring tourism season, which is crucial for Nepal’s economy.

Infrastructure Developments

TIA’s ongoing upgrades include constructing a link road between the runway and a parallel taxiway, scheduled for completion by April 2025. Failure to meet the deadline could lead to significant financial losses for airlines and impact overall tourism. Gyanendra Bhul, CAAN’s information officer, reiterated that finishing on time is crucial to support Nepal’s upcoming tourism season.

“We aim to complete the airport improvements by March 2025 to minimize disruption to the critical spring tourism season,” said CAAN Spokesperson Bhul.

 

In response to these changes, airline check-in counters will close 15 minutes before flight times, and helicopter flights from the Nalinchok helipad will be limited to daylight hours. AOAN has requested adherence to these updated schedules to ensure operational efficiency and mitigate potential losses during the upgrades.