Nepal Airports Guide for Singapore Travellers

Everything You Need to Know Before You Fly

Planning a trip from Singapore to Nepal? Whether you're heading to Kathmandu for a cultural deep-dive, Pokhara for lakeside serenity, or Lukla for the legendary Everest Base Camp trek, understanding how Nepal's airport network works will make your journey significantly smoother. Nepal's aviation landscape is unlike anything else in Southeast Asia — and for Singapore travellers used to the seamless efficiency of Changi Airport, a little preparation goes a long way.

Nepal's Three International Airports: Your Entry Points from Singapore

Nepal currently operates three international airports under CAAN: Tribhuvan International (KTM) in Kathmandu, Gautam Buddha International (BWA) in Bhairahawa, and Pokhara International (PHH), inaugurated in January 2023.

Kathmandu remains the primary gateway for Singapore travellers. Tribhuvan International set a new record in 2025, handling over 9.77 million passengers — 5.25 million internationally and 4.53 million domestically. Its runway stretches 3,350 metres, making it the longest in the country and the only one equipped for wide-body aircraft on intercontinental routes.

Pokhara recorded 886,784 passengers in 2025 and Bhairahawa 729,097. Both airports continue to struggle attracting scheduled international carriers, with CAAN having waived all landing, parking, and navigation fees in an effort to change that — underscoring Nepal's push to decentralise international traffic away from the congested Kathmandu hub.

Flying into Nepal: Airline Options and Connectivity

Singapore travellers do not currently have a direct nonstop flight from Singapore (SIN) to Kathmandu (KTM), but connectivity is strong via hub carriers.

Himalaya Airlines, Nepal's first private international carrier, operates a fleet of four Airbus A320-family aircraft with routes from Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur — a useful transit hub for Southeast Asian travellers. Other international connections out of KTM span Seoul, Doha, Riyadh, and beyond.

Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, serves 11 international destinations across 10 countries as of 2025, including Delhi, Bangkok, Dubai, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Doha, Dammam, and Bengaluru — giving Singapore travellers a broad range of one-stop connection options through South Asia, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Inside Nepal: Navigating Domestic Routes Like a Pro

Once you land in Kathmandu, Nepal's domestic aviation network opens up a world of adventure. CAAN oversees 55 airports across Nepal, of which approximately 34 are currently operational as of 2025. The network covers 48 routes in total — 35 domestic, 2 sightseeing, and 11 international — operated from 16 airports across the country.

Tribhuvan International (KTM) originates 24 routes — more than all other airports combined. The Kathmandu–Pokhara route remains the busiest domestic corridor, a short 25-minute flight saving roughly seven hours of mountain road travel.

Nepal's domestic airlines — seven fixed-wing operators and 12 helicopter companies — carried a record 4.56 million passengers in 2025, up 2.20 percent year-on-year.

Key carriers include:

Buddha Air — Nepal's largest domestic carrier with ~56% market share, serving 13 domestic destinations: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Bhadrapur, Dhangadhi, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Rajbiraj, Simara, Surkhet, and Tumlingtar — plus international flights to Varanasi and Kolkata, India, and Himalayan sightseeing flights. 

Yeti Airlines — the second-largest network, surpassing one million passengers in 2025, covering most major domestic routes.

Tara Air (a Yeti subsidiary) — specialising in STOL operations to remote villages like Lukla, Jomsom, and Phaplu.

Shree Airlines, Summit Air, and Sita Air — filling essential gaps in underserved regions, with Shree and Summit recording standout growth of 25% and 50% respectively in 2025.

Lukla: The World's Most Thrilling Airport

For Singapore adventurers planning an Everest Base Camp trek, the Lukla flight — typically 35 minutes from Kathmandu — is an unforgettable experience in itself.

High-Altitude Flying: What Singapore Travellers Should Know

Nepal's airports operate at extreme elevations. The highest STOL-operational airstrip is Rara/Talcha Airport at 2,989 metres above sea level. Altitude affects aircraft performance and scheduling, meaning flights in Nepal are far more susceptible to weather delays than anything you'd encounter flying out of Changi.

In 2025, forest fires and pollution-related haze caused significant flight cancellations, particularly at Pokhara, Chitwan, and Simara — a growing seasonal pattern worth factoring into your itinerary. Always build at least one buffer day before your international departure.

Practical Tips for Singapore Travellers

• Book domestic legs separately and leave at least a full day between your last domestic flight and your international departure.

• Fly early — mountain weather in Nepal deteriorates fast in the afternoons; morning flights have the best on-time records.

• Pack light for STOL flights — small aircraft have strict weight limits, typically 10–15 kg for checked baggage.

• Confirm flights the night before — domestic schedules in Nepal remain fluid, especially during monsoon season (June–August)

• Kathmandu to Pokhara is almost always worth flying rather than taking the bus — save your time for the mountains.

Nepal's airport network, for all its quirks and challenges, is what makes this Himalayan kingdom accessible. From Singapore's tropical flatlands to the roof of the world, every leg of the journey is part of the adventure.