Two flights diverted from TIA return to New Delhi, Lucknow
KATHMANDU, JUNE 8
Flight diversion due to adverse weather conditions is nothing new. However, what was surprising today was that two international flights that were unable to land at Tribhuvan International Airport due to bad weather were diverted to India instead of Nepal's recently opened second international airport at Bhairahawa.
Vistara Air's flight from New Delhi was diverted to Lucknow Airport, whereas the Indigo Air flight returned to New Delhi.
The air distance from TIA to Gautam Buddha International Airport is 192.61 kilometres, whereas the distance from TIA to Lucknow is 454 km and that to New Delhi is 816 km.
According to TIA Spokesperson and Director of Airport Operation Department Teknath Sitaula, pilots could have decided to fly back to their home country instead of landing at Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa as they might have thought it lacked proper facilities for technical inspection and hospitality for passengers.
Acting Director of GBIA Shyam Kishor Shah said the planes could have easily landed at GBIA. "However, as the airport had opened only recently, the pilots could have hesitated being unsure how long they would have to wait at the airport.
"They don't even have their airline office or contact person there," he added.
"Although GBIA provides refuelling services, it could be a hassle for the airlines to take care of passengers and provide catering service at an airport where respective airlines do not have any contact person or an office," Shah told THT.
He said the airlines' concern about passengers' comfort could be the reason for the planes being diverted back to India instead of GBIA. "The airlines divert to airports where they feel most comfortable," he added.
"Nepal Airlines and Jazeera Airlines are making regular flights to and from the airport without any problem. We are ready to welcome new airlines," Shah said.
A Nepal Airlines flight from Tokyo and a flight of Korean Air from South Korea had to circle above the airport for sometime before getting permission to land.
According to Sitaula, flights were held up for sometime due to traffic congestion at TIA and due to bad weather.
The weather in Kathmandu deteriorated this evening after a sudden downpour.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 9, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
