Nepal Airlines to operate special flight to evacuate stranded passengers from Dubai

KATHMANDU: Nepal Airlines Corporation will operate a special flight tonight to evacuate passengers stranded at Dubai airport, the airline announced.

According to the notice, a widebody aircraft will depart Kathmandu at 11:15 pm to pick up stranded passengers in Dubai and bring them back to Nepal. The return flight, RA 230 (Dubai–Kathmandu), is scheduled to land in Kathmandu at 4:10 am on Thursday.

This is the first special flight organized by the airline to rescue passengers after 12 days of disruptions caused by the US–Iran conflict, said Amritman Shrestha, Executive Director of Nepal Airlines.

He added that passengers will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis, with around 270–280 passengers expected to travel to Dubai tonight.

The flight has been arranged specifically to bring back those who have been waiting in Dubai, Shrestha said. The schedule includes RA 229 (Kathmandu–Dubai) departing at 11:15 pm tonight and RA 230 (Dubai–Kathmandu) returning at 4:10 am on Thursday.

Only passengers who booked tickets between February 28 and March 9 but were unable to travel will be eligible for tonight’s flight. The airline has requested all travelers to have their tickets revalidated before boarding.