Turkish Airlines plane catches fire during landing in Kathmandu

Monday 11 - 09:45

A passenger aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines caught fire during landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday, prompting emergency intervention from airport authorities. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members.

According to Nepalese aviation officials, the incident involved an Airbus A330 arriving from Istanbul with 277 passengers and 11 crew members on board. Initial reports indicated that sparks near the aircraft’s right landing gear triggered a small fire shortly after touchdown.

Emergency response teams quickly moved to contain the situation, and all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Authorities later confirmed that rescue operations had been completed successfully and that an investigation had been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident.

The airport’s only runway was temporarily closed for nearly two hours, causing delays and disruptions to several domestic and international flights. Airport operations gradually resumed once safety inspections were completed.

Nepal is known for operating some of the world’s most challenging air routes due to its mountainous geography and rapidly changing weather conditions. Aviation experts have long raised concerns about airport infrastructure and flight safety in the Himalayan nation.

In recent years, Nepalese authorities have announced plans to modernise radar systems and improve weather monitoring equipment in an effort to strengthen aviation safety standards. International organisations have also encouraged the country to continue reforms aimed at reducing air transport risks.

The incident also revived memories of a previous accident involving a Turkish Airlines aircraft in Kathmandu in 2015, when a plane skidded off the runway during landing. Although no casualties were reported at the time, airport operations were severely disrupted for several days.

Aviation specialists note that while modern aircraft are equipped with advanced safety systems, runway incidents remain a major operational challenge in regions with difficult terrain and unpredictable climate conditions.