Bengaluru, May 30 -- 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 D...