Calcutta-Kathmandu Flights Resume as Buddha Air Returns

Nepal may currently be facing unrest, but travelers from Calcutta have a reason to be excited. Buddha Air, the airline with the largest domestic passenger share in Nepal, is set to restart its direct flights between Kathmandu and Calcutta starting October 2. This move brings back a vital air link that had been missing for a few years, making travel between the two regions much easier.

Flight Timings and Schedule

According to the airline, the flight from Kathmandu to Calcutta will depart at 7:00 am Nepal time and reach Calcutta in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. The return flight from Calcutta to Kathmandu is scheduled at 9:35 am.

Buddha Air will operate four flights each week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, providing multiple options for travelers and helping revive tourism and trade between the two countries.

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Official Approval and Safety

Jhakka Prasad Acharya, the Consul General of Nepal in Calcutta, confirmed that Buddha Air is in the final stages of obtaining approval from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). He expressed optimism that the situation in Nepal will improve soon, possibly within the week, allowing the airline to begin operations safely in October.

At the same time, the National Day reception planned by the Nepali consulate on September 20 has been canceled due to the current critical situation. This event, usually held to commemorate Nepal’s Constitution Day on September 19, celebrates the adoption of the Constitution in 2015, which marked Nepal as a federal democratic republic. Acharya said, “It is a critical situation, so what to do?” confirming the cancellation.

He also advised Indian travelers to wait before making travel plans, noting that the situation in Nepal and the border areas is currently not very stable. It’s worth noting that Indian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Nepal, which has always made cross-border travel easier.

Historical Context of the Flight Route

The last direct connection from Calcutta to Kathmandu was operated by Air India, which stopped flights on October 1 due to maintenance work at Tribhuvan International Airport, reducing operations from round-the-clock to just 12 hours a day.

Buddha Air had previously operated the Calcutta-Kathmandu route in 2019, but the flights were later discontinued. Seeing a gap in the market, the airline applied a few months ago to resume this important route, which connects two countries with rich cultural and religious heritage.

Benefits of the Direct Flight

The airline’s Marketing Director, Rupesh Joshi, emphasized the importance of this route. He explained that the direct flight between Calcutta and Kathmandu will make travel much more convenient compared to long road journeys.

Earlier, travelers from Calcutta who wanted to reach Kathmandu had limited options:

• Fly via Delhi and then take a connecting flight to Kathmandu.

• Fly to Bagdogra, cross the border by road to Bhadrapur, and then take another flight to Kathmandu.

These options were time-consuming and less convenient, making the new direct flights a welcome change for tourists, traders, and business travelers.

Market Outlook and Passenger Trends

Joshi is optimistic about the Calcutta market. He mentioned that the airline currently operates three weekly flights to Varanasi and expects the new route to attract both tourists and business travelers.

While the airline is confident about the route, some experts in the travel and tourism industry expect that the initial passenger load may primarily come from the trading and business sector. Manav Soni, Chairman of the Tourism Council and Travel Agents Association of India, explained that it may take some time for Indian tourists to regain confidence in traveling to Nepal, given the recent unrest. He emphasized that travelers will look for assurances about safety and security, which will depend on the stability of the Nepalese government.

Airline Perspective on Current Situation

Both Acharya and Joshi acknowledged the current unrest in Nepal but expressed confidence that normalcy will return quickly. Joshi said that domestic and international flights in Nepal have continued to operate despite the unrest and that such situations have occurred before. Historically, Nepal has recovered quickly from temporary disruptions, making air travel safe and reliable even during uncertain times.

The airline views the reopening of the KTM-CCU route as an opportunity to provide a dependable option for travelers, helping strengthen cultural, religious, and economic connections between Nepal and India.

Optimism for Tourism and Festivals

Both officials are optimistic about welcoming travelers from Calcutta during Diwali and expect steady tourism flows even beyond the festive season. The airline expects ticket bookings to start soon, likely by Sunday, providing travelers with a clear schedule and reliable flight options.

The resumption of direct flights is expected to benefit tourism, business travel, and medical travel. While the initial response may lean towards professionals and traders, the hope is that Indian tourists will gradually regain confidence as the situation stabilizes in Nepal.

The resumption of direct flights from Calcutta to Kathmandu by Buddha Air is an important development for travelers, traders, and tourism between India and Nepal. Despite recent unrest, the airline is confident in providing safe, convenient, and reliable service, making it easier for people to explore Nepal’s cultural richness and natural beauty.

The flights not only save time but also strengthen the bond between the two countries, fostering tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. Travelers planning trips to Nepal are advised to keep updated with the situation, but the reopening of this direct route is a promising step towards restoring normal travel operations.