Buddha Air, a private airline, has announced a six-point directive in light of the flight time reductions resulting from ongoing upgrades at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). The upgrades, set to begin on November 8, will continue for approximately five months, leading to significant operational changes for flights during this period.
Due to these upgrades, a “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) has been issued, restricting flights between 10 PM and 8 AM. Buddha Air expects the improvements at TIA will enhance aircraft operations and air traffic management. The airline also reassured passengers that the current flight schedule will remain largely unaffected in the short term, as the monsoon season—which could potentially disrupt the upgrade work—is still several months away.
Buddha Air Spokesperson Dipendra Kumar Karna expressed confidence that managing flight operations during the winter months, when the new restrictions take effect, would be manageable. He highlighted that winter conditions often lead to fog and reduced visibility at many airports, but emphasized that the airport expansion would help streamline operations, making the current maintenance period essential for long-term benefits.
Under the new guidelines, flights operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), including night flights, must be completed by 10 PM. Similarly, flights conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are restricted to daylight hours, depending on visibility. Failure to meet these timeframes could result in flight cancellations.
Buddha Air’s six-point directive also underscores that while there are sufficient aircraft to maintain the flight schedule, weather conditions and air traffic congestion may still cause delays. Passengers are advised to arrive at the check-in counter as per the time stated on their tickets.
Additionally, the airline has implemented the following operational changes:
- The check-in counter will close 15 minutes before scheduled departure.
- If the airport opens late due to weather or air traffic issues, there is an increased likelihood of flight cancellations. In such cases, passengers will be rebooked on the next available flight, subject to seat availability.
- For canceled flights, refunds will be processed within three to four days. Buddha Air clarified that if a flight is canceled due to air traffic control limitations or time restrictions, no “delayed schedule” will be provided for the following day.
- Passengers with connecting international flights are advised to allow for extra time between flights or consider booking tickets for the day prior to ensure smoother connections.
The airline continues to monitor the situation closely and advises passengers to stay informed about potential disruptions during this upgrade period.
