Nepal issues travel advisory as Middle East conflict escalates
Nepal warns of travel disruption, urges migrants to follow safety measures amid Gulf airspace closure after US-Israel attack on Iran.
Nepal on Saturday urged its citizens in Israel and Iran to follow local safety instructions and avoid unnecessary travel as hostilities escalate in the Middle East.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring development and advised Nepali nationals in both countries to remain indoors as much as possible, stay vigilant, and strictly comply with directives issued by local authorities.
The ministry strongly advised those planning to travel to Israel or Iran to defer their trips until the situation stabilises. Citizens in other Middle Eastern countries were also urged to exercise caution.
The advisory followed deadly strikes on Iran by US-Israel forces. Nepal expressed concern for its citizens working abroad, particularly migrant workers in the region.
UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Malaysia are the top destination countries for Nepal's migrant workers. More than 1.3 million Nepalis currently work in GCC countries.
Concerns heightened after media reports said Iran carried out retaliatory strikes on US airbases in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as well as in Bahrain and Qatar.
Airspace closures were subsequently imposed in parts of the Gulf, disrupting commercial flights across a key global transit corridor.
Air traffic in Flightradar24 on Sunday
Nepal’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, warned that international flights operating to and from Kathmandu could face delays, diversions, or cancellations due to airspace restrictions.
An alert issued through the Civil Aviation Office at Tribhuvan International Airport urged passengers to check the status of their flights with airlines before heading to the airport. Airport authorities said they were coordinating with carriers to manage passenger movement.
The crisis has heightened anxiety in Nepal, which relies heavily on remittances from an estimated two million citizens working in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are among the top destinations for Nepali labour migrants, whose earnings account for more than a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product.
The conflict also threatens to disrupt Nepal’s tourism season, as many trekkers transit through Gulf hubs en route to the Himalayas. Officials said the situation remains under review and further updates will be issued as necessary.
