Bengaluru, May 30 (UNI) Extending its regional footprint, Air India Express on Friday announced the launch of direct daily flights between Bengaluru and Kathmandu, starting June 1.

This new route marks the airline’s debut in Nepal, further enhancing its growing short-haul international network.

Bookings for the new route are now open on the airline’s website and across major travel portals, with inaugural fares starting at Rs 8,000 for Xpress Lite and Rs 8,500 for Xpress Value.

Flight IX 197 will depart Bengaluru at 0505 hrs and arrive in Kathmandu at 0805 hrs local time. The return flight IX 198 will leave Kathmandu at 0905 hrs and reach Bengaluru at 1225 hrs. Both flights will operate daily.

Commenting on the launch, Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, "We are delighted to expand our footprint to Nepal, our neighbouring country in the subcontinent, further strengthening the deep-rooted cultural and economic ties we share. This new route brings people, tales, and traditions closer, while reinforcing our vision of making travel more accessible and meaningful."

Kathmandu, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. It serves as a gateway to Everest treks and spiritual journeys, with landmarks like the Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing pilgrims and tourists alike. Nearby destinations such as Pokhara, Bhaktapur, and Lumbini—the birthplace of Lord Buddha—are also easily accessible.

The new service also provides convenient one-stop connectivity to Kathmandu via Bengaluru from 20 Indian cities including Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Pune, and Srinagar, as well as from Abu Dhabi and Dammam internationally.

Currently, Air India Express operates over 450 weekly flights from Bengaluru to 31 destinations across India and abroad, including Abu Dhabi, Dammam, and now Kathmandu.

The airline also offers one-stop connections to additional domestic and 14 international destinations, such as Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore, and Salalah.

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