Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will operate a series of special rescue flights to major Gulf destinations from April 3 to 5, aiming to assist Nepali nationals affected by recent disruptions in air connectivity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Thursday.
The decision was made during a meeting held on March 31 at the Office of Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), and Nepal Airlines.
According to the MoFA, discussions focused on addressing the travel needs of Nepali citizens in the Gulf region and ensuring the continuation of essential air services. Regular flights on these routes have been suspended since February 28 due to ongoing tensions and security concerns in West Asia.
As per the schedule, Nepal Airlines flight RA 229 will depart Kathmandu for Dubai on April 3 at 23:15 (local time), with the return flight RA 230 leaving Dubai for Kathmandu on April 4 at 04:10. On April 5, flight RA 241 will fly from Kathmandu to Dammam at 08:30, and the return flight RA 242 will depart Dammam at 12:20 for Kathmandu.
The MoFA expressed gratitude to Nepal Airlines for arranging the special flights and acknowledged the support of Rastriya Beema Company Limited in managing the necessary insurance arrangements.
The ministry also thanked other concerned agencies for their coordination and reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of Nepali citizens while maintaining international connectivity.
Meanwhile, on April 1, a Kuwait Airways flight arrived at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa carrying 291 passengers, along with the bodies of nine Nepali nationals who had died in Kuwait due to causes unrelated to the ongoing situation.
