Dubai–Nepal flights cancelled after Kathmandu airport shutdown due to protests and social media ban, disrupting UAE travellers.
DUBAI: Flights between the UAE and Nepal were abruptly cancelled on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, following the sudden closure of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu amid growing political unrest. The move came after Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority suspended all domestic and international flights due to security concerns linked to nationwide protests.
The unrest erupted after a controversial government ban on social media platforms, leading to widespread demonstrations across the country. The closure has impacted several routes to and from the UAE, with both flydubai and Air Arabia confirming disruptions.
flydubai reported that Flight FZ 539 from Dubai was diverted to Lucknow, while its return flight FZ 540 was cancelled. Additional flights between Dubai and Kathmandu — FZ 573/574 and FZ 575/576 — were also cancelled. Meanwhile, Air Arabia confirmed that its flights G9530 and G9532 from Sharjah to Kathmandu were grounded.
Both airlines have pledged support for affected passengers, offering rebooking options and full customer service assistance through official channels. The shutdown highlights the vulnerability of international travel amid domestic instability, with UAE travellers urged to monitor updates before planning Nepal-bound journeys.
Authorities in Nepal have not yet confirmed when flight operations at Kathmandu airport will resume, as public demonstrations and safety assessments continue across the country.
