KATHMANDU, MARCH 10 Nepal's tourism industry began 2026 on a strong note, but airspace disruptions across the Middle East are creating unexpected travel challenges just as the country enters its peak spring trekking and mountaineering season. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal received more than 105,000 international visitors in February, an 8.8 percent increase year-on-year and slightly above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The encouraging trend had raised expectations for a robust spring season. However, the situation changed after Iran launched missile attacks against several regional countries, prompting Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain to temporarily close portions of their airspace to civilian aircraft. While Nepal remains geographically distant from the conflict and unaffected by the violence, the aviation disruptions have had immediate consequences for travellers heading to the Himalayan destination. More than 90 percent of Nepal's international tourists arrive by air, with a large share of long-haul passengers from Europe and North America connecting through major Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. When flights through these hubs were disrupted, airlines operating to Kathmandu began adjusting schedules and cancelling services. Nepal's two international carriers, Nepal Airlines and Himalayan Airlines, temporarily cancelled several Gulf-bound flights after the airspace closures. Nepal Airlines suspended its Kathmandu–Dubai service, while Himalayan Airlines halted flights to Dubai and Dammam until further notice. Officials at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said the cancellations were directly linked to the regional airspace restrictions and that passenger and crew safety remained the priority. The disruption has also affected international transit traffic. Thousands of passengers were reportedly stranded at Gulf transit airports during the peak of the disruption, forcing many travellers to rebook or reroute their journeys. Airfares have also climbed sharply. Economy-class fares on some Europe–Kathmandu routes have nearly doubled in recent weeks, according to travel operators. Raj Gyawali, tourism expert and founder of Social Tours, said the immediate impact appears to be concentrated largely in the European market. 'The current impact is mostly coming from Europe. My own group of 40 people from Norway has cancelled,' Gyawali told The Himalayan Times Online. 'However, it is not affecting everyone equally, as travellers can divert to alternative routes - though not all choose to do so.' He said the disruptions are affecting certain types of travel segments more than others. 'The situation is mostly affecting small tours and trekking segments,' Gyawali said, explaining that airfare often represents the largest portion of travel costs for many visitors, while local spending in Nepal remains comparatively modest. Alternative routes emerging Despite the disruptions, travellers are continuing to reach Nepal through alternative connections. Airlines and tour operators are advising passengers to consider routes through cities such as Istanbul, Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Seoul. Industry stakeholders say these routes add travel time but allow visitors to maintain their travel plans. Gyawali noted that travellers who have been planning longer trips or trekking journeys tend to remain committed. 'Those who have been planning trekking or longer tours for a considerable time are more willing to reroute, via Turkey or other hubs, or to postpone rather than cancel outright,' he said. At the same time, he said the impact varies across markets. 'There are no notable disruptions for tourists arriving from India, the US East Coast, Malaysia, Australia, or China,' he added, noting that operators whose clients are largely from non-European markets are seeing fewer cancellations. Spring season at stake The disruptions come at a sensitive time for Nepal's tourism sector. March marks the beginning of the country's busiest trekking and mountaineering period, when thousands of visitors arrive for Himalayan expeditions and trekking holidays. Communities across trekking regions rely heavily on income generated during the spring season, making the timing of the aviation disruptions particularly challenging for the industry. Tourism entrepreneurs also warn that rising global fuel prices could push up the cost of trekking packages and domestic flights. Short take-off and landing (STOL) services to mountain airstrips such as Lukla and Jomsom may become more expensive if fuel costs remain elevated. Some hotels in Kathmandu's tourist district of Thamel have reportedly begun offering flexible booking arrangements, allowing guests delayed by flight disruptions to check in several days later without penalty. Several airlines have also introduced rebooking options to ease travel disruptions. Everest season begins Preparations for the spring climbing season are continuing despite the aviation challenges. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee has deployed its Icefall Doctors team to establish the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest, installing ladders, ropes and safety equipment to prepare the route for climbers. Expedition operators expect around 400 foreign climbers to attempt Everest this spring, alongside expeditions to neighbouring peaks including Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. However, Gyawali believes the mountaineering sector is unlikely to face major disruption. 'Everest climbing and mountaineering seasons are unlikely to be significantly affected,' he said. 'For mountaineers, the primary concern is the climb itself, not airfare, and many have already made substantial down payments.' They would likely be more willing to go the extra mile, spending more time, money, and effort, to reach the mountain in time for the climbing window, a motivation heightened by the fact that China has reportedly closed the Tibetan route (North Col) for the spring season. Structural aviation challenges The latest disruption has also highlighted Nepal's long-standing reliance on international transit hubs. Nepali airlines have been banned from operating in European Union airspace since 2013 under the EU's aviation safety blacklist. The restriction prevents Nepali carriers from running direct flights to Europe, forcing most long-haul travellers to rely on connections through the Middle East. Industry observers say accelerating aviation reforms, particularly separating the regulatory and operational roles of the aviation authority, could help Nepal address these concerns and expand direct international connectivity in the future. Outlook for the season Despite the uncertainties, tourism stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic. Regional travel markets continue to show strong momentum. India remains Nepal's largest source market, accounting for 21.6 percent of arrivals in February, followed by China with 10.3 percent. Visitors from SAARC countries also recorded a 23 percent increase in January 2026. Gyawali said the current disruption should be viewed as temporary. 'To summarise, this is a momentary disruption. Nepal is an adventure destination and tourists will come,' he said. 'What we need right now is clear messaging and well-prepared strategies.' He added that clear communication among tourism stakeholders is crucial during such disruptions. 'The most effective action available right now is clear, correct communication - ensuring tour operators and agents provide consistent information to travellers about alternative routes,' he said. Nepal welcomed around 1.15 million international visitors in 2025, and authorities are aiming for further growth this year if global travel conditions stabilise.