A Turkish Airlines Airbus aircraft carrying 277 passengers and 11 crew members caught fire while attempting to land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Monday morning, but none of those on board were injured.
The flight, which had departed Istanbul, ignited after a spark was reported in the aircraft’s right landing gear, according to Gyanendra Bhul, a spokesperson for Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority. “All aboard are safe, the rescue operation is over. We are now investigating the accident,” Bhul told AFP.
The incident forced the airport’s sole runway to close for almost two hours, disrupting morning operations before it was cleared for use again. Tribhuvan International is known for its challenging approach, surrounded by steep mountains and subject to rapidly changing weather, factors that have historically contributed to a number of accidents in the region.
The event revives concerns that have lingered since a string of runway incidents and the European Union’s decision to blacklist all Nepalese carriers last year. In response, Nepalese authorities announced plans to install new radar and weather‑monitoring systems to improve safety on the country’s most difficult airstrips.
The latest fire follows a 2015 incident in which another Turkish Airlines plane skidded off the Kathmandu runway. That episode, involving 224 passengers, also resulted in no injuries but caused a four‑day runway shutdown and widespread flight cancellations.
While the cause of the spark that ignited this week’s fire is still under investigation, officials have confirmed that emergency services responded quickly and that all passengers were evacuated without harm. No injuries were reported among airport staff either.
The incident underscores the operational challenges faced by airlines serving Nepal’s capital, where high‑altitude terrain and unpredictable weather demand rigorous safety protocols. Aviation analysts note that improvements in ground‑based navigation and weather‑forecasting technology could mitigate such risks, especially as tourist traffic to the Himalayas continues to grow.
Turkish Airlines has not yet released an official statement, but the airline’s safety record in the region will likely be scrutinised as the investigation proceeds.
The swift handling of the emergency and the prompt reopening of the runway suggest that Nepal’s aviation authorities are better prepared than in previous years, although the need for further infrastructure upgrades remains a priority.
The incident will be monitored closely by international regulators and may influence future aviation policy discussions in Nepal and the broader South Asian region.
