Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport Suspends Flights Due to Runway Lighting Failure

Flight operations were temporarily suspended at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday due to issues with the runway's lighting system.

The electrical problem began at approximately 5:30 pm local time, causing a significant disruption to airport operations for about four hours. Normal activities resumed at 10:00 pm after maintenance crews successfully resolved the issue.

Both domestic and international flights faced delays as take offs and landings were affected by the lighting malfunction. An airport staff member confirmed that the problem was fixed after more than four hours of technical maintenance work.

The lighting failure resulted in the diversion of multiple flights. According to TIA spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, three international flights had to be rerouted to alternative destinations: Qatar Airways to Dhaka, Korean Air to Delhi, and Fly Dubai to Lucknow.

Additionally, two Buddha Air domestic flights were diverted to other regional airports within Nepal's territory.

Airport authorities did not specify the exact cause of the electrical problem that led to the temporary shutdown.

The airfield lighting system, particularly on runways, is a critical component that enables pilots to safely conduct landings during nighttime operations or under conditions with poor visibility.