In a move to assist citizens caught in the crossfire of escalating regional tensions, the Government of Nepal has initiated a series of special non-scheduled flights to Dubai and Dammam starting tonight.
The decision follows a high-level meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on March 31, which included officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).The initiative aims to provide a lifeline for Nepali migrant workers and stranded travelers who have been unable to return home since regular air connectivity was suspended on February 28 due to the deteriorating security situation in West Asia.
Flight Operations and Schedule
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) will manage the three-day rescue operation. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the specific flight details are as follows:
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To Dubai: Flight RA 229 is scheduled to depart Kathmandu today, April 3, at 23:15 local time. The return flight, RA 230, will depart Dubai at 04:10 local time on April 4.
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To Dammam: Flight RA 241 will depart Kathmandu for Saudi Arabia on April 5 at 08:30 local time. The return flight, RA 242, is set to leave Dammam at 12:20 local time the same day.
Repatriation of Stranded Citizens
The primary focus of these flights is the safe return of Nepali nationals who wish to leave the Gulf region amid the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that the return legs of these flights will also carry the bodies of several Nepali migrant workers who passed away in the region.
This follows a similar effort on April 1, where a Kuwait Airways flight landed at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, carrying 291 passengers and the bodies of nine Nepali citizens who died of causes unrelated to the current conflict.
Government Response
Minister Khanal has formed an eight-member panel to study the immediate impact of the West Asian war on Nepali migrant communities and to develop a long-term strategy for similar crises.
The Ministry expressed its gratitude to Nepal Airlines and the Rastriya Beema Company Limited for facilitating the necessary insurance arrangements required to operate flights into a high-tension zone. “The government remains committed to safeguarding the interests of our citizens abroad and ensuring they have a path home during these uncertain times,” a MoFA spokesperson stated.