After nearly a year, Kolkata is all set to regain its air link to Nepal’s capital. Starting September 1, 2025, Buddha Air, Nepal’s largest private airline, will relaunch direct flights between Kolkata and Kathmandu, offering travellers a convenient alternative to the current detour via Delhi.
The airline will operate four times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays—using a 70-seater ATR 72-500 aircraft.
This marks a significant comeback after services were halted in 2019 due to low demand and later compounded by the pandemic. With both Air India and Air India Express currently absent from this route, Buddha Air will be the sole operator offering nonstop connectivity between the two cities.
This isn’t Buddha Air’s first foray into India. The airline has been flying to Varanasi for over a decade, making Kolkata its second Indian destination. In Nepal, Buddha Air services 15 cities with over 160 flights daily, operating an all-ATR fleet known for short-haul efficiency.
The return of this route is expected to boost tourism and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel, especially from Eastern India. According to industry experts, Nepal remains a repeat destination for families with ties across the border, adventure seekers, and those drawn to the country’s casinos and natural beauty.
Travel leaders, however, stress consistency. “This is a great move, but passenger confidence depends on reliable schedules,” said Manav Soni of TAAI. Anil Punjabi of TAFI added, “The ease of travel with just a voter ID will encourage movement, though travellers should remember ₹500 Indian currency notes aren’t accepted in Nepal.”
With the resumption of direct flights, Kolkata rekindles an important regional connection and a gateway to the Himalayas.
