The national airline of Nepal, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), will initiate special flights over three days from April 3 to April 5, 2026, to facilitate the return of stranded Nepali nationals and migrants in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This decision was made following a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which included discussions on how to support travelers amid the ongoing unrest in West Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement confirming the initiative, led by the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shisir Khanal. Regular commercial flights to these regions were suspended on February 28, 2026, due to escalating tensions and a challenging security environment, prompting the need for these special operations.

Flight Schedule

The NAC has outlined specific flight details for the upcoming operations. On April 3, flight RA 229 is scheduled to depart from Kathmandu at 23:15 local time, heading to Dubai. The return flight, RA 230, will leave Dubai at 04:10 local time on April 4, arriving back in Kathmandu.

In addition, the airline will operate a flight to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on April 5, departing at 08:30 local time under flight number RA 241. The return journey from Dammam to Kathmandu will take place on the same day at 12:20 local time, with flight number RA 242.

Context of the Flights

The decision to operate these special flights is a response to the urgent travel needs of Nepali citizens caught in the conflict-affected areas. The Ministry has emphasized the importance of maintaining air connectivity for those who are relying on these services, given the suspension of regular flights. There has been heightened concern regarding the safety and well-being of Nepali nationals working in these regions.

In a related development, a Kuwait Airways flight reached Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa on April 1, carrying 291 passengers and the remains of nine Nepali citizens. These individuals had died in Kuwait for reasons unrelated to the current regional unrest.

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