Air India Express has announced the launch of daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Kathmandu, starting from 1 June 2025. The move strengthens the airline’s growing focus on short-haul international leisure routes, connecting popular South Asian cities with India’s major urban hubs.

The new daily service will offer increased connectivity for both tourists and business travellers, and reflects the airline’s strategy to expand into high-demand regional destinations, following recent launches to Bangkok and Phuket.

Daily flight schedule and fare options

According to the airline’s press release, the flight will depart from Bengaluru at 5.05 am daily, arriving in Kathmandu in the morning, while the return flight from Kathmandu will depart at 9.05 am.

Bookings are now open via the airline’s official website airindiaexpress.com as well as other major travel booking channels. Inaugural fares start at Rs 8000 for Xpress Lite and Rs 8500 for Xpress Value, offering passengers flexible options based on their travel preferences.

Enhanced connectivity through Bengaluru

The launch of this route is particularly beneficial for passengers flying from Tier 2 and Tier 3 Indian cities. The new service allows convenient one-stop connections to Kathmandu via Bengaluru from 20 Indian cities, including:

• Amritsar

• Bhubaneswar

• Delhi

• Goa

• Gwalior

• Hindon

• Hyderabad

• Indore

• Jammu

• Jaipur

• Kozhikode

• Kochi

• Mangaluru

• Pune

• Srinagar

• Surat

• Tiruchirappalli

• Thiruvananthapuram

• Visakhapatnam

• Vijayawada

In addition, passengers from two international locations — Abu Dhabi and Dammam — can now reach Kathmandu with one-stop access through Bengaluru, making this route a significant addition to Air India Express’s international operations.

Air India Express strengthens presence from Bengaluru

Air India Express already operates over 450 weekly flights from Bengaluru, connecting directly to 31 destinations, both domestic and international. The airline continues to position Bengaluru as a key hub in its network strategy, supporting seamless international travel via convenient short-haul connections.

Commenting on the new service, Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, stated that the Kathmandu route enhances the airline’s expanding footprint across leisure destinations, and offers more travel options for flyers seeking affordable and direct connections.

Growing focus on leisure and regional travel

This move comes at a time when regional tourism and budget travel are witnessing increased demand, especially among Indian travellers exploring neighbouring countries. Kathmandu, as a major tourist and spiritual hub, has seen a surge in Indian tourists post-pandemic, making it a strategically valuable destination for Air India Express.

The airline is targeting this demand by offering competitive fares, direct flights, and reliable scheduling, thus cementing its role as a preferred low-cost carrier for international leisure travel.

Conclusion

The daily direct Bengaluru to Kathmandu flight by Air India Express marks another significant step in enhancing India’s regional air connectivity. With affordable fares starting from Rs 8000, convenient flight timings, and access from 20 Indian cities and two international locations, the new route is expected to boost travel, tourism, and business exchanges between India and Nepal.

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