KATHMANDU — Massive flash floods originating from the Bhote Koshi River and Tibet have severely disrupted Nepal’s key arterial highways—including the Prithvi Highway and sections connecting the Kathmandu Valley to western regions—leaving the country's aviation sector as a vital lifeline for both domestic transport and disaster response.

Highways Severed, Air Demand Soars

With landslides and raging floodwaters halting ground transportation across major corridors like the Kathmandu–Pokhara route, demand for air travel has surged dramatically. Domestic carriers, including Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, and Nepal Airlines, have seen ticket bookings spike as commuters and tourists seek air routes to bypass damaged roads and destroyed bridges.

Amid rising public concerns over potential fare gouging during the crisis, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) issued strict directives ordering all domestic airlines to maintain affordable airfares. CAAN instructed carriers to keep ticket rates well below legal upper limits and facilitate smooth public movement without taking commercial advantage of the disaster.

Flexible Ticketing: Domestic & International Carriers Offer Free Date Changes and Refunds

To alleviate financial stress on travelers affected by highway closures, weather delays, and missed connections, both domestic and international airlines have introduced flexible ticketing measures:

  • Domestic Fare Waivers: Domestic carriers (including Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Nepal Airlines) are allowing passengers stranded by road disruptions to change travel dates without standard penalty fees. Full 100% refunds are being provided for weather-cancelled flights.

  • International Flight Protections: Following directives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, international airlines operating out of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) are waiving rebooking and date-change fees for passengers who miss international flights due to domestic highway or domestic air disruptions.

  • Flexible Open Tickets & Refunds: Foreign and national carriers are offering options to convert affected bookings into open tickets or process full ticket refunds to accommodate travelers stranded outside Kathmandu.

Airlines & Helicopter Fleets Mobilize for Rescue

The aviation sector has also been thrust into emergency operations following devastating flash floods across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and adjacent districts:

  • Helicopter Standby Directives: The Prime Minister’s Office instructed all private helicopter operators and rescue fleets to remain on high alert. Choppers are currently carrying out medical evacuations and airlifting stranded travelers, local residents, and flood victims from remote, cut-off regions near the Northern border.

  • Special Relief & Evacuation Flights: Under government directives, national and private carriers are coordinating special flights to transport essential supplies and evacuate vulnerable citizens, prioritizing the elderly, injured, and stranded travelers.

International Support Arrives

The crisis has also prompted international humanitarian coordination. Neighboring nations have put heavy military aircraft on standby to deliver emergency supplies and support air relief operations in coordination with Nepalese authorities.

As monsoon risks persist through September, Nepal’s aviation sector remains at the core of national relief efforts, balancing flexible passenger service for domestic and international travelers with critical emergency rescue operations.