India on Tuesday cancelled all flights to Kathmandu after Nepal plunged into a political crisis following the sacking of the Sher Bahadur Deuba government by King Gyanendra.

Also see: Emergency imposed in Nepal

An Air Sahara flight took off from Delhi [ Images ] in the morning but returned after hovering over Kathmandu airport. It was not permitted to land by the local air traffic control.

Indian Airlines and Jet Airways [ Get Quote ] cancelled their flights to Kathmandu.

Also see: India voices concern

IA sources said they were on "stand-by" as the airline's Kathmandu office had not given clearance to its flight till afternoon.