In a move poised to significantly enhance cross-border tourism, Nepal’s leading private carrier, Buddha Air, is set to relaunch its direct flight service between Kathmandu and Kolkata. After a six-year break, the airline aims to resume operations by mid-July, offering four weekly flights—matching the frequency previously provided by Air India on the same route.
This announcement marks a strategic comeback for the airline, which had initially launched the Kathmandu-Kolkata route in 2019 with three weekly flights. However, the service was short-lived, lasting just nine months due to financial challenges. With a renewed focus and increasing regional demand, Buddha Air is confident about the route's viability this time.
"We competed with Air India when we flew to this destination 6 years ago. Now that Air India has pulled out, we see a commercial opportunity and have decided to resume the flights," Rupesh Shrestha, director of Sales and Marketing at Buddha Air, was quoted as saying by the Republica daily. "The airline is actively working towards that end," he added.
The journey between the Nepalese capital and the bustling Indian metropolis takes just 1 hour and 25 minutes, making it an efficient and convenient option for travellers exploring cultural and spiritual experiences across borders.
Buddha Air operates regular flights to Varanasi, another major Indian destination. According to reports, the airline has also expressed ambitions to expand its footprint in India further, with future connections being considered for cities like Guwahati and Lucknow—signalling a broader vision for enhanced regional connectivity.
While Buddha Air leads the charge, it’s not alone in bridging the skies between Nepal and India. Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, operates flights to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Yeti Airlines, another prominent domestic carrier in Nepal, is also eyeing cross-border opportunities as regional travel gains momentum post-pandemic.
(With inputs from PTI)
