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Nepal's sole international gateway, nestled among the Himalayas.
Opened
1955
Location
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM/VNKT) is the primary and only international airport serving Nepal, located in Kathmandu, the nation's capital. Named after King Tribhuvan, who reigned from 1911 to 1955, the airport sits at an elevation of approximately 1,338 meters (4,390 feet) above sea level, making it one of the higher-altitude major airports in South Asia.
The airport handles the vast majority of Nepal's air traffic, serving millions of passengers annually and acting as the hub for Nepal Airlines and other domestic carriers. Its location in the Kathmandu Valley, surrounded by hills and the Himalayan range, creates challenging flying conditions that require special pilot certifications for certain approaches.
Despite its critical role, Tribhuvan has long faced capacity constraints, aging infrastructure, and congestion. Plans for a new international airport at Nijgadh in southern Nepal have been discussed as a long-term solution to relieve pressure on KTM.
Terminals
The airport has one international terminal and one domestic terminal, handling all passenger operations for both international and domestic flights.
Getting to & from
The airport is located approximately 6 kilometers east of central Kathmandu, accessible primarily by taxi and private vehicle, with no rail or metro link currently available.
Airlines here
Nepal Airlines serves as the national flag carrier and primary hub airline, with major international carriers including Qatar Airways, Air India, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, and Himalaya Airlines also operating services.
Notable facts
- ›Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport currently operational in Nepal.
- ›The airport's high elevation and surrounding terrain require pilots to obtain special authorization to operate certain approach procedures.
- ›It was named after King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah, who opened Nepal to the outside world.
- ›The airport consistently ranks among the busiest and most challenging airports in South Asia due to terrain and weather.
- ›A new greenfield international airport has been proposed at Nijgadh to supplement or eventually replace KTM for international traffic.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
