Kathmandu, December 13

The inclement weather across the country today affected domestic flights at Tribhuvan International Airport. Low visibility due to bad weather since yesterday affected both departures and arrivals in the domestic terminal today.

According to TIA management, flights to Pokhara and Bharatpur were slightly affected, while flights in the Tarai region were operated with caution. All flights to Lukla, Rara and Simikot were cancelled this morning.

TIA management stated that flights to mountainous regions — Lukla, Rara, Simikot and Tumlingtar — have been halted since yesterday. Several other flights were delayed.

“Bad weather in mountainous regions has been affecting flights from TIA, Nepalgunj and Ramechhap since Thursday,” said Yog Raj Kandel, spokesperson for Airline Operators Association of Nepal. He added that all flights via choppers were also affected due to the

inclement weather. According to Kandel, continuous snowfall in the mountainous region

has affected chopper flights. AOAN has circulated a letter to all helicopter operators requesting them not to operate any flights to the mountainous region till Sunday.

“As per the forecast, the weather will clear up by Sunday,” he said, adding, “AOAN has requested operators not to operate flights compromising passengers’ safety.”

Kandel, however, said that emergency flights would be conducted with permission from authorities concerned, if needed. He added that fixed-wing flights might operate smoothly from tomorrow, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, international flights were operated smoothly despite bad weather in Kathmandu.

TIA sees around 400 flights, including 100 international flights, per day.

There are around 29 international and three Nepali airline companies conducting international flights from TIA.