Why Flights Between Dubai and Nepal Halted

Flight Cancellations and Uncertainty: Why Are Planes Not Flying Between Dubai and Nepal?

Travelers from Dubai might have been unpleasantly surprised by the news that the Kathmandu International Airport (KTM) has been temporarily closed. Flydubai canceled or rerouted several flights following severe unrest in Nepal's capital. Youth-led mass protests against the Nepalese government have shaken the entire country, impacting air traffic from the United Arab Emirates as well.

What Exactly Happened?

On September 9, flydubai's flight FZ 539, which was supposed to take off from Dubai International (DXB) airport heading to Kathmandu, had to divert from its original route and eventually landed in Lucknow, India. Subsequent flights, including FZ 540 from Kathmandu to Dubai, as well as flights FZ 573/574 and FZ 575/576, were also canceled.

The airline confirmed that due to the disruptions, all Dubai-Nepal flights would be suspended until at least September 10. Passengers—if needed—will be accommodated and rebooked on the next available flights. They also urged passengers to check their bookings, update their contact details, and keep an eye on the official channels for updates.

What Caused the Unrest in Nepal?

The roots of the problems lie deep within social dissatisfaction. The Gen Z protests—led by young people in their 20s, including school students and university attendees—were aimed against the corruption present in the country, restrictions on social media, and social inequality. Protesters often took to the streets in school uniforms, holding banners with images of luxury items worn by politicians' children, contrasting the struggles faced by the average young Nepali.

Even though TikTok was officially banned, numerous videos still appeared on the platform, highlighting the contrasts even more sharply. These videos went viral, fueling the fire.

However, the situation quickly took a tragic turn: in demonstrations on Monday, 19 people lost their lives, and more than 100 were injured. Tensions escalated rapidly, and the police could not control the crowd.

As a consequence, the Nepalese Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, announced his resignation on Tuesday. In his statement, he explained that he wanted to pave the way for new political solutions and problem-solving approaches.

What Does This Mean for Travelers from Dubai?

Those planning to travel to Nepal from Dubai in the coming days face significant uncertainty. Although flydubai is actively working on rebooking passengers, many are unsure when flights might resume. In addition to flydubai, other Emirates-based airlines—such as Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways and Sharjah's Air Arabia—do not operate direct flights to Nepal, making it challenging to plan alternative routes.

Flydubai advises all passengers to contact the airline’s customer service center, official travel office, or consult with their travel agents. Passengers may request rebooking or refunds depending on how they purchased their tickets.

What Lessons Can Be Learned?

This series of events highlights how sensitive international flights are to political and societal events. Dubai, as one of the region's largest aviation hubs, is particularly vulnerable to regional instability—especially when the destination is a country with fragile infrastructure and political environment.

This situation also serves as a reminder that travelers should always plan flexibly: whether through travel insurance or by purchasing modifiable tickets. Additionally, passengers should consider signing up for airline newsletters or monitoring app notifications to quickly obtain information in such extraordinary situations.

What Does the Future Hold?

It is currently unclear when Kathmandu airport will reopen and when regular aerial connections between Dubai and Nepal might be restored. According to a flydubai statement, they continuously monitor the situation, and all decisions are made with passengers' safety in mind.

There has been no official announcement from the Nepalese government regarding the reopening date of the airport, but the Prime Minister's resignation might start a political process leading to the stabilization of the situation.

Until then, all passengers traveling to or from Dubai to Nepal are advised not to head to the airport without first checking their flight status.

Final Thoughts

The current situation not only affects flights but the entire region. The power of the young generation in mobilizing societal change in Nepal is remarkable. Meanwhile, Dubai passengers and airlines must adapt to the situation and hope for improvements in Nepal's political and public safety conditions in the coming days.

(The article is based on a statement from Kathmandu International Airport.)