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A Summit Air plane en route to Lukla from Kathmandu made an emergency landing at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) this morning after some technical issues.  

Rinzi Sherpa, spokesperson at TIA, said that the pilot had made the decision for an emergency landing at the airport  after some technical issues were reported in the aircraft as it was flying in the Phaplu region.

The aircraft made a safe landing at 7:24 this morning.

Currently, a technical team is working to fix the issues. 

The TIA Office stated that 19 people were on board the plane including the pilot and crew members and all of them are safe.

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is on track to enhance its operational capacity with the ongoing expansion and upgradation work achieving 60 percent progress.

With this, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to reduce the daily closure hours to six hours (midnight to 6 am) from April 1. Currently, the airport is closed for eight hours (11 pm to 7 am) to facilitate the project works. 

The expansion project began on Nov 8 with a completion target of March 31. The reduction in flight numbers during the peak tourist season sent ticket prices soaring. Although CAAN had requested airline companies to operate some flights to the international airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara, airlines showed reluctance citing a lack of business. 

Before that, the TIA was in operation for 21 hours a day from 6 am till 3 am. 

CAAN is implementing Rs 15bn expansion works with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank. Under the expansion plan, a  taxiway is being built parallel to the runway. According to CAAN, 45 percent of the work on the parallel taxiway has been completed so far. Once operational, the parallel runway is expected to boost TIA’s capacity as it would reduce runway occupancy time by approximately 22.5 percent.

The first section of the taxiway (1,140 meter long) is being built on the runway’s southern end which will connect the existing international apron to the end of Runway 02 towards Koteshwar. Similarly, another 450-metre parallel taxiway is being built at the northern end to connect the international apron to the end of Runway 20. 

Likewise, the work on building an international apron (north) to ease aircraft congestion has achieved 65 percent progress. This new facility will have parking space for 18 aircraft. Similarly, hangar apron (east), which will provide expanded facilities for aircraft maintenance, has achieved 35 percent physical progress.

TIA, which is designed to handle 2-3m passengers annually, saw over 4.5m passengers in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for expansion. The existing 1,900-meter parallel taxiway for the 3,374-meter runway has struggled to accommodate growing traffic. CAAN officials say the new parallel taxiway, positioned 172.5 meters from the runway, along with 18 additional parking aprons, will reduce the need to keep aircraft on a holding pattern.

One of the four Uzbek nationals recently arrested with about four kilograms of gold had visited Nepal 11 times, according to preliminary police investigations. The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Sardar Tursunov, has been found to have multiple connections in Nepal, prompting further investigation, police said.

According to immigration sources, Tursunov had entered Nepal on 11 previous occasions. This time, he reportedly used three Uzbek women to smuggle gold. The arrested women—49-year-old Saodat Faiziva Israilovna, 48-year-old Umida Akhmedov Ghulamovna, and 54-year-old Dilfuza Marifalib Akhmadjanovna—claimed in their statements to police that the gold did not belong to them and that they were merely following Tursunov’s instructions. Sources indicate they were lured by financial incentives and the opportunity to visit Nepal.

Tursunov escorted the women to Kathmandu, and upon arrival via FlyDubai flight FZ 575, they proceeded directly to the immigration arrival hall. After obtaining immigration clearance, they were directed to the security screening area where police conduct thorough checks on luggage, shoes, and bodies of passengers. They passed through security checks without suspicion and were allowed to exit.

However, as they reached the terminal gate, authorities noticed suspicious behavior and took them into custody. Further investigation led to the discovery of the concealed gold. It remains unclear whether security personnel had any prior indication of the gold or if it was an oversight.

Sources said that after passing through security, the suspects proceeded to collect their luggage. Customs officials also conducted checks but found nothing. However, as the group was about to leave the airport, their unusual behavior raised further suspicion, leading to their arrest.

Upon conducting a body search, police recovered 3.745 kg of gold concealed in their rectums. The gold had been melted and shaped into small round pellets, which were then smuggled from Dubai to Kathmandu. A total of 24 such pellets were found on the four suspects. Authorities suspect that the gold was intended for a third country, using India as a transit point. SSP Somendra Singh Rathore of the Airport Security Office confirmed the seizure, stating, “We are investigating the case further. The suspects have been handed over to the Customs Office for further legal action.”

Following repeated gold seizures at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the government had assigned security responsibilities at customs to the Armed Police Force (APF). However, this large-scale smuggling attempt has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of airport security measures.

In two days of the Dashain festival, a total of 63,242 people traveled via Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

The travel flights were recorded for both domestic and international services on the Phulpati (the seventh day) and the Maha Astami/Mahanawami( the eighth/ninth day) of the Dashain festival.

The Maha Astami and Maha Nawami were observed on the same date this time. According to TIA Spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, on October 11, the number of domestic passengers for 301 flights was 17,329, while 14,436 passengers traveled by 278 domestic flights on October 12, totaling 31,765 towards domestic services.

Similarly, towards international flights, the number of passengers on October 12 for 107 flights (both arrival and take-off) was 16,509 followed by 14,968 on 107 flights the following day, totaling 31,477.

Earlier, on September 30, the TIA recorded 559 flights in a single day towards both domestic and international categories and the number of passengers was 35,704.

The occurrence of significant flooding and landslides due to incessant rains on September 27-28 caused subsequently high demand for flights.

TIA dealt with the significant rise in the number of passengers from September 29 to October 2 in the aftermath of the disasters.

Its terminal building was overcrowded. The TIA said now the flight schedule has returned to normal.

The Tribhuvan International Airport Office has urged passengers traveling on international flights not to wear 'khada' and garland in the course of security checks. Khada is the silk scarf that is put around the neck of a person while extending farewell or welcoming.

General Manager of TIA, Jagannath Niraula said that the TIA requested not to use 'khada' and garland as these things got stuck in the X-ray machine, conveyor belt and escalator in course of security check, damaging such machines. 

"Issuing a notice today, we have urged passengers traveling on international flights not to use 'khada' and garland in the course of a security check. The passengers have to put 'khada' and garland in their bags during the security check," he said.

Niraula shared that ‘khada’ and garland thrown by passengers at different places of the airport has also had a negative impact on the beauty of the airport.

The passengers could take ‘khada’ and garland with them in bags if they have to take it with them, according to TIA.

Adverse weather affected the flights at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday.

According to TIA's General Manager Jagannath Niraula, adverse weather and subsequent low visibility issues have affected both domestic and international flights.

Niraula said that flights to Pokhara have been canceled and those to Janakpur and Simara have been delayed.

Towards international service, a flight by Air China has been diverted back. It was scheduled to land at TIA at 10:55 am today. Some international flights were made to be on hold.  

Buddha Air's information officer Dipendra Kumar Karna confirmed the cancellation of the Kathmandu-Pokhara flight while the flight towards Bharatpur Airport was delayed.

The Buddha's air flight to Surkhet this morning was diverted to Pokhara owing to the adverse weather that generally affected the domestic services at TIA on Tuesday.

At present, the country is under the influence of monsoon wind.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, presently the monsoon trough is positioned slightly northward, triggering partial to general rainfall across the country. 

Presently, light to moderate rain with thunder is taking place in some parts of Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim Provinces and a few places in the rest of the provinces.

Heavy rain has been forecast at one or two places of the Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashim Provinces.

Domestic flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) have been affected today owing to adverse weather. The adverse weather and low visibility affected the flights schedule to Pokhara and Bharatpur.

TIA General Manager Jagannath Niraula, however, said that international flights are continuing.  Flights to other domestic airports in the hilly areas have also been disrupted.

Buddha Air's Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna also confirmed that they are waiting for the weather to be cleared to operate flights on the Pokhara and Bharatpur routes. 

Currently, there is an influence of a monsoon wind across the country.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the monsoon trough is positioned slightly northward from the average location, triggering the partial to general rainfall across the country.

There remain chances of heavy rainfall at a few places in the Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and at one or two places in the rest of the provinces today.

Police have arrested a foreign national with 6.24 kg of cocaine from the Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday.

A team from the Narcotics Control Bureau nabbed a national of Latvia, Ivars Valters, from the arrival area of the TIA.

The cocaine was hidden inside a suitcase, said Police Spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

was underway after taking permission to extend his remand from the District Court Kathmandu on drug case.

Meanwhile, two persons were held with 15.500 milligrams of brown sugar, Rs 40,000 and three mobile sets from New Bus Park in Kathmandu. 

They are Pawan Kumar Mehata (24) of Rajbiraj Municipality-9 and Anil Pariyar (27), of Triyuga Municipality-7 in Udaypur.

Similarly, Dharmendra Singh (33) of Golbazaar Municipality-6 and Anil Sah (33) of Mirchaiya Municipaity-5 in Siraha were arrested with 640 mg of brown sugar and two mobile sets from their rented room at Narephant of Kathmandu.

An aircraft belonging to the Turkish Airlines has overshot in course of its landing at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.

According to flight radar, the plane, which was scheduled to land at 6:10 am today, landed 20 minutes after overshoot.

The airport office said the aircraft overshot due to 'missed approach'.

According to an air traffic controller (ATC), the aircraft overshot after an 'unstable approach'.

An aircraft belonging to Saurya Airlines crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday.

According to a source, the plane skidded off the runway while flying to Pokhara from Kathmandu this morning.

The aircraft caught fire after the incident.

Firefighters and security personnel are trying to extinguish the fire.

Further details are yet to come. 

An Indian national has been arrested with 855 grams of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Airport Security Police Office apprehended Sharif Ahmed Abdul Gafur (35), who arrived in Kathmandu on a Fly Dubai flight, with the precious yellow metal during a regular security check.

He has been handed over to the airport customs office for further investigation.  

Police have arrested two Pakistani nationals with nearly Rs 10 million in foreign currency from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Yasin Ahmed (31) and Mohammad Adnan Lakhani (48), who arrived in Kathmandu from Dubai, were arrested with 500, 000 Danish kroner.

The seized foreign currency is worth Rs 954,3000.

Police said the duo were apprehended with the foreign currency during a regular security check.

They have been kept at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala.

A contingent of 30-Armed Police Force (APF) personnel, under the command of an inspector, has been deployed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to oversee customs checks.

The mobilization of the Armed Police Force (APF) in customs affairs aims to ensure effective customs checks and enhance security, said Dr Tokraj Pandey, the chief customs administrator of TIA.

"The decision to involve the APF in customs checks comes in response to the finance ministerial-level request and the decision of the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. The APF personnel are working in five shifts on a daily basis to conduct customs checks at the airport," he added.

The move to seek direct supervision and involvement of the APF in customs duties is expected to improve airport security and facilitate more effective service delivery.

Police have arrested a Sri Lankan national with 1.3 kg of illegal gold from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Sunday.

Kanthimathi Kavaskar (54) was arrested with 1.3 kg undeclared gold this morning, according to TIA security chief Deputy Inspector General of Police, Arjun Chand.

He came to Kathmandu on the flight FZ 573 of the FlyDubai at 1 am today.

The contraband was concealed within her inner garments.

Further investigation into the case is underway, police said.