Nepal Protests Force Airport Shutdown

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is being prepared for a complete shutdown, according to Nepal’s local media, quoting a senior official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

The decision follows ongoing fire incidents in Gothatar and surrounding areas, which have created serious risks to aviation safety. Flights already in the air will be allowed to land, but no new departures will be permitted until further notice.

The Nepal Army has been deployed to secure the airport, and preparations are underway to close the main gate and suspend all other activities within the premises.

The potential shutdown comes after two days of violent student-led protests across Kathmandu and Lalitpur

districts. Demonstrators, under the banner of the Gen Z group, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and strict action against corrupt leaders.

Protesters torched the residences of Prime Minister Oli in Bhaktapur, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak in Kathmandu, and several other political leaders.

The protests were triggered after the government imposed a ban on 26 social media sites, including Facebook and X, citing registration issues. Authorities later restored access to the platforms in an attempt to ease

public anger. The demonstrators also opposed police actions, which on Monday resulted in 19 deaths, including a 12-year-old student, and left more than 300 people injured.