What we know
- An aircraft touched down at Tarigaun Airport in Dang on Thursday, ending a disruption that lasted one and a half months.
- Nepal Airlines is running the service four days a week between 9 and 11 in the morning, according to Online Khabar English.
- A senior official from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal stated that poor weather previously caused the suspension.
- The 750-metre runway accommodates 19-seat aircraft, with one-way fares set at Rs 12,000 as reported by Online Khabar English.
What this means if you are travelling
- Travelers heading to Dang from Kathmandu can now book direct flights on four designated weekdays instead of taking long overland detours.
- If direct flights fill up or face delays, overland transfers from Bhairahawa or Nepalgunj airports remain the primary alternative.
- Trekking itineraries in the Annapurna and Everest regions are entirely unaffected by this regional western Nepal route update.
- Passengers should verify morning flight timings directly with the airline because operations depend on regional weather conditions.
Direct air connectivity between Kathmandu and Dang has resumed after a suspension lasting one and a half months. Online Khabar English reported that a Nepal Airlines flight landed at Tarigaun Airport on Thursday, carrying eight passengers inbound from Kathmandu and four passengers departing on the return leg.
Pradeep Bhusal, a senior officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, stated that poor weather conditions had previously forced the service to become irregular. Operations are now set to run on a predictable schedule across multiple weekdays.
Flight Schedule and Ticket Details
According to the civil aviation authority, the service between Kathmandu and Dang is scheduled to operate four days weekly. Flights are planned on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Morning operations will take place within a window between 9 and 11 am. As reported by Online Khabar English, the airfare for this route is set at Rs 12,000 per seat.
- Operating airline: Nepal Airlines
- Aircraft capacity: 19 seats
- Operating days: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Departure window: Between 9 and 11 in the morning
- Current one-way fare: Rs 12,000
Tarigaun Airport Infrastructure and Constraints
Tarigaun Airport was originally established in 1954 AD and has not seen runway expansions since that time. The current airstrip measures 750 metres in length, restricting flight operations exclusively to small 19-seat aircraft.
Because of these physical limitations and previous schedule disruptions, travellers moving between the Dang region and the capital have often had to use alternative hubs. A budget of Rs 25 crore has been designated in the present fiscal year to support upgrades at the airfield.
What This Means for Traveller Plans
For visitors with plans in Dang or nearby areas of western Nepal, the resumption of regular flights reduces the need for lengthy bus rides or indirect routings. However, because each plane carries only 19 passengers, available seats remain very limited on every scheduled flight day.
Travelers who are unable to secure seats on the direct morning flights can continue to route their journeys through Bhairahawa or Nepalgunj airports before completing their travel by road. Popular trekking routes in central and eastern Nepal, including itineraries around Pokhara and the Khumbu valley, do not depend on this airfield and continue normal operations.
Reported by
This update summarises reporting from the outlets below and adds our own planning guidance. Follow the links for the original reports.
Questions travellers are asking
Which days does Nepal Airlines fly between Kathmandu and Dang?
Flights are scheduled four days a week on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The aircraft departs within a morning window between 9 and 11 am.
How much does a flight ticket cost for the Dang to Kathmandu route?
Online Khabar English reported that the current airfare is Rs 12,000. Fares apply to the scheduled 19-seat Nepal Airlines aircraft serving Tarigaun Airport.
Why was the flight service to Tarigaun Airport halted?
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, adverse weather made the air link irregular over a period of one and a half months before flights resumed on Thursday.
What alternatives exist if direct Dang flights are full?
Travelers in the region frequently travel through Bhairahawa or Nepalgunj airports when direct low-capacity flights to Tarigaun Airport are unavailable or fully booked.