Government issues advisory for Nepalis visiting Middle East

Airlines suspend flight operations to Middle East cities

 

Kathmandu, Feb. 28

As the war broke between America-Israel and Iran on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has issued an advisory asking Nepali citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran and Israel without prior authorisation from the relevant authorities of Israel and Iran.

"The government of Nepal is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East. Nepali nationals planning to travel to Israel or Iran are strongly advised to defer their travel plans until the situation in both countries stabilizes," said the Ministry in the statement.  

Likewise, Nepali nationals residing and working in other Middle East countries are advised to constantly monitor developments and follow precautionary measures as suggested by the competent authorities of the respective countries.

According to the MoFA, Nepalis there should strictly adhere to the security advisories and instructions issued by the competent authorities of Israel and Iran, and remain indoors as much as possible, stay vigilant, exercise due caution, and maintain regular contact with the Nepali community in your respective locations.

It also suggested to maintain regular communication with the MoFA in Kathmandu, the Embassy of Nepal in Tel Aviv, Israel and the Embassy of Nepal in Doha, Aatar. The MoFA can be contacted at ​+977-9862678437 or waa@mofa.gov.np, Embassy at Tel Aviv at +972-545582077, telaviv@nepalembassyil.com, and Embassy in Doha at ​+974- 6621 4419, ​eondoha@mofa.gov.np.

About 5,500 Nepalis are currently studying and working in Israel while around 15 Nepalis are in Iran, according to the MoFA.

As the USA and Israel launched missile attack at several locations in Iran, the latter retaliated with missiles targeting Israel and US bases in various Gulf countries.

Following these developments, several aviation companies have suspended their flight operations in those countries. Considering the current situation of airspace restrictions, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said it is in close coordination with international airlines operators serving at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

Since this situation has developed outside Nepali airspace, CAAN has to rely on the decisions of the relevant country and the relevant airline operators, said Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer of the Authority.

Likewise, the TIA has published a passenger advisory with the contact numbers of international airlines conducting flight operations to and from Kathmandu and suggested the travellers to get the status update before they leave their home for abroad travel. The airlines include Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Jazeera Airlines, Kuwait Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines.

Himalaya Airlines cancelled its flights to Dubai, Dammam and Doha due to ongoing situation in the Middle East airspace.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar announced temporary suspension of air traffic in Qatari airspace which resulted in cancellation of flights of Qatar Airways from Doha, as the airlines informed. Similarly, Kuwait also closed its airspace citing the regional security developments.

Flight operations are also restricted at the airports in Sarjah and Abu Dhabi. According to the TIA, flights to those all airports will remain suspended until further notice.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 1 March 2026.