Flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu were severely disrupted on Thursday due to low visibility caused by bad weather. The foggy conditions led to multiple delays, cancellations, and diversions, leaving passengers stranded and creating confusion at the airport.
International Flights Affected
Rinji Sherpa, a spokesperson for the TIA Office, reported that many international flights were affected. One of the significant incidents involved a Qatar Airways flight, which could not land in Kathmandu due to the poor visibility. The plane, which flew from Doha, was diverted to Kolkata, India. Passengers had to wait for further instructions on how to proceed with their journey.
Similarly, Nepal Airlines had to reroute a flight coming from Malaysia. Air China also faced similar challenges, and one of their flights to Kathmandu was diverted as well. Sichuan Airlines had to cancel one of its flights altogether due to the weather.
Disruption to Domestic Flights
Domestic flights were also hit hard by the weather. Flights on key routes such as Kathmandu-Pokhara, Kathmandu-Bharatpur, Kathmandu-Nepalgunj, Kathmandu-Rajbiraj, Kathmandu-Biratnagar, Kathmandu-Janakpur, Kathmandu-Bhadrapur, and Kathmandu-Bhairahawa were either delayed or canceled. Many passengers on these flights found themselves stranded at the airport, with no clear updates on their schedules.
TIA officials urged passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. Despite these warnings, many passengers arrived without knowing about the disruptions. This led to frustration and confusion among travelers.
Smaller Airlines Also Impacted
The bad weather didn’t only affect larger international carriers. Smaller, private airlines operating within Nepal also experienced delays and cancellations. The low visibility caused a backlog of passengers at the airport, increasing the strain on both travelers and airport staff. With the weather causing further uncertainty, it was difficult for passengers to get any clear information on their next steps.
Efforts to Resume Normal Operations
TIA officials worked to restore order as visibility improved. Sherpa assured the public that flights would resume once the weather cleared. By the afternoon, operations returned to normal, with most of the delayed flights either taking off or being rescheduled. However, airport authorities warned that weather conditions could change again, potentially causing further delays.
Weather Challenges for Nepal’s Aviation Industry
The disruption highlights the ongoing challenges that Nepal’s aviation sector faces. Nepal’s mountainous terrain and unpredictable weather make air travel difficult, especially during the monsoon and winter months. Pilots and air traffic controllers depend heavily on good visibility to ensure the safety of flights. When visibility drops, as it did on Thursday, it complicates efforts to maintain safe operations.
Improving Infrastructure for Better Flight Operations
Tribhuvan International Airport is Nepal’s busiest airport and the main entry point for international visitors. As the country’s tourism continues to grow, ensuring the reliability of air travel is becoming even more important. The government and airport authorities are working to improve infrastructure and operations, but incidents like these show that more work is needed to address the challenges posed by weather.
Passenger Reactions
Many passengers took to social media to share their frustration. Some complained about waiting for hours without receiving updates. Others noted the lack of communication from airlines regarding the status of their flights. Despite the frustration, most travelers understood that weather conditions caused the disruptions and appreciated the efforts made by airport staff to manage the situation.
Returning to Normal Operations
By the afternoon, visibility cleared up, and most flights resumed. Delayed flights were either rescheduled or given priority to depart. Still, passengers were advised to continue checking for updates, as the weather could change again, and further delays might occur.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead and Stay Informed
The disruption at TIA serves as a reminder of the challenges weather can pose to air travel. It is important for travelers to check their flight status regularly, especially during unpredictable weather. While Nepal’s aviation sector continues to improve, weather remains a significant factor affecting operations. The airport’s staff worked hard to restore order, and the situation improved as the day went on.
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