KATHMANDU: A severe operational failure by Summit Air and ticketing travel agent have plunged a group of international tourists from the remote Dolpo region into a high-risk emergency transit situation, forcing the group to risk violating local transport laws and potentially missing their international flights home.

The crisis revolves around a flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj, originally scheduled for tomorrow, October 18, 2025. The trekking agency, I AM Treks & Expeditions, has escalated the matter, demanding an immediate intervention from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) against Summit Air for what it terms "gross negligence."

The trekking group—composed of three foreign nationals and their guide—were only informed of their return flight cancellation less than 24 hours before departure. While the ticketing agency, Glory of Nepal Tours and Travels, was initially blamed for the late notification, new facts reveal the root cause is Summit Air’s complete failure to notify their own sales agent of the cancellation for over 15 days.

“This is not a simple inconvenience; it is a safety crisis created directly by the airline," said a representative from I AM Treks & Expeditions. "The last-minute notification meant we had no time to secure a legally required ‘Green Number Plate' tourist vehicle. For the grueling 16-hour, off-road journey to Nepalgunj, we were forced to use local, un-insured transport."

The use of a non-tourist registered vehicle for foreign clients effectively voids their travel insurance in case of an accident on the dangerous, rugged terrain.

The ground transfer is mandatory because the trekkers must reach Kathmandu by tomorrow to meet their international flights back home. Any delay in the 16-hour transfer will cause a cascading failure, leading to missed connections and potential financial losses amounting to thousands of dollars for the tourists.

The trekking agency has condemned Summit Air's handling of the emergency. Attempts to contact the airline's management for an immediate solution have been rebuffed. The representative, Manjani Shrestha, notably declined to even speak about the emergency situation, showcasing a complete and callous disregard for passenger safety and accountability.

I AM Treks & Expeditions is calling on the relevant regulatory bodies to intervene and hold Summit Air fully liable for the immediate financial damages (cost of emergency ground transport, re-booking fees) and the serious safety and legal risks imposed on the international travelers.

“This is a disgrace to Nepal’s reputation for hospitality and a threat to tourist safety. We demand full accountability for Summit Air’s negligence," the I AM Treks representative concluded.