Kathmandu airport to remain closed until further notice amid widespread unrest in Nepal

Kathmandu, Sep 10 : The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) here was closed on Wednesday until further notice following the massive violent protests across Nepal, leaving hundreds of foreign nationals stranded.

The flight services at the airport were partially suspended in view of the protests on Tuesday after agitators tried to enter its premises.

In a public notice, the airport officials said the closure is due to the ongoing critical situation and urged passengers and stakeholders to await further updates.

Earlier, the TIA had announced a temporary closure until 6 pm Wednesday, but operations have now been halted without a reopening timeline, news portal Khabarhub said.

The Nepal Army on Wednesday imposed nationwide restrictive orders followed by a curfew to quell possible violence under the guise of protest, a day after deadly anti-government demonstrations forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation.

The airport shutdown has affected both domestic and international flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Airlines have advised travellers to stay in contact with their respective carriers for updates.

Authorities said the airport will resume operations only after security agencies give clearance, Khabarhub said.

“We had closed the airport due to security reasons as we saw smoke in some areas surrounding the airport as well as parts of the runway,” said Rinji Sherpa, spokesperson of the airport.

The Nepal Army, in a statement, has asked the “foreign nationals, who are stranded due to the current difficult situation to contact the nearest security post or security people for their rescue or any other help.”

It has also requested hotels, tourism entrepreneurs and related agencies concerned to provide necessary help to the needy foreign nationals.

The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) on Wednesday urged all stakeholders to help create a tourist friendly environment for the movement of tourists.

“As the country is passing through a difficult situation and the airport remains closed, it is necessary to manage the stranded tourists,” HAN said in a statement.

HAN said that it has been coordinating with Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Army for necessary management and facilitation of tourists. It also issued a hotline contact number 9851031495 for accommodation facilities to the stranded tourists.

On Tuesday night, the Nepal Army took control of the airport after the agitators tried to enter its premises.

Air India, which operates six flights a day between New Delhi and Kathmandu, on Tuesday cancelled four flights. IndiGo and Nepal Airlines also cancelled their flights from Delhi to Kathmandu. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Victims of September 30th police firing remembered on 20th anniversary

Tura, Sept 30:  The nine civilians who died twenty...

9 workers killed as under construction building collapses in Chennai

Chennai, Sept 30: Nine migrant workers died after an...

New Chief Secy optimistic about Meghalaya’s future

Shillong, Sept 30: Newly appointed chief secretary of Meghalaya...

ED questions actor Urvashi Rautela in online betting case

New Delhi, Sept 30: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on...

Wangchuk being projected as anti-national as part of witch-hunt: Wife

New Delhi, Sept 30: Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of...

British-era land dispute at Saitsohpen resolved  

128-acre Govt land to be handed over to Elaka...

7.42 Cr voters in Bihar’s final poll roll

New Delhi/Patna, Sept 30: The total number of electors...

Scholarship application date extended till Oct 31

Shillong, Sep 30: The Chief Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (CMSS)...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories