After a six-year gap, Buddha Air is set to resume direct flights between Kathmandu and Kolkata by mid-July 2025, capitalising on Air India’s recent withdrawal from the route. Rupesh Shrestha, Director of Sales and Marketing at Buddha Air, emphasised that this strategic move stems from renewed commercial viability and growing demand for regional connectivity.
Buddha Air had earlier operated the same route in 2019 but ceased operations after seven months due to a loss exceeding INR 100 million. Learning from past challenges, the airline now plans to offer four weekly flights—matching the frequency previously maintained by Air India. The one-way flight will last 1 hour and 25 minutes, with fares starting from INR 14,000.
While Air India exited the sector to prioritise its Delhi-bound operations, it reportedly achieved decent load factors on its 158-seater aircraft. Buddha Air hopes to tap into the increasing demand for religious, leisure, and trade travel between Nepal and India, citing promising two-way traffic.
To boost the route’s appeal, Buddha Holidays will roll out curated travel packages tailored for Kolkata-bound tourists. Additionally, Buddha Air plans to expand its Indian footprint with future services to Guwahati, Lucknow, and beyond.