Domestic air traffic hits record high in 2025 despite airport curbs and pollution
Summary
Domestic air traffic in Nepal reached a record high in 2025 with 4.56 million passengers, despite infrastructure bottlenecks, airport curbs, and pollution affecting flight operations.
Key Points
- Domestic airlines in Nepal carried 4.56 million passengers in 2025, marking a 2.20 percent year-on-year increase and a record high.
- Infrastructure constraints at Kathmandu airport, including nighttime closures for taxiway construction, affected flight schedules and slowed growth.
- Pollution and haze from forest fires and stubble burning disrupted flights, particularly to tourist destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan.
- Among domestic carriers, Buddha Air saw a passenger decline, while Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines posted significant growth in 2025.
