How safe are Airplanes and Airports in Nepal?

How safe are Airplanes and Airports in Nepal?

All air carriers from Nepal have been refused permission to operate air services to the EU due to safety concerns, notes the Foreign travel advice by United Kingdom.

Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. See video of approach and landing.

In March 2015 an Airbus of Turkish Airlines crashed after landing due to fog, but passengers could be evacuated safe.

In June 2014 the British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Nepal needs to assure travellers that its aviation industry meets the international standards.

In March 2014 Malaysian Airlines Flight (MH-114) from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu with 180 passengers on board was hit by a flock of ducks as it attempted to land. The impact shattered the Boeing 738’s two right windshields but the pilots managed to land safely without injury to any passenger or crew.

On 16 February 2014 a Nepal Airlines flight flying from Pokhara to Jumla crashed in western Nepal. 18 people were killed.

In August 2013 the airport authorities discovered cracks in the runway and warned airlines, not to arrive with too heavy aircrafts, as telegraph.co.uk reported.

On 16 May 2013 a Nepal Airlines flight crashed while landing at Jomsom Airport in nothern Nepal leaving 5 people seriously injured.

On 28 September 2012 a Sita Air Dornier aircraft flying from Kathmandu to Lukla crashed south-west of Kathmandu shortly after take-off. Nineteen people were killed including 7 British nationals. In 2012 Nepal has witnessed five fatal plane crashes in just two years, killing a total of 95 people writes Gareth Platt. Kathmandu airport had seen nine major crashes in the last 20 years.


Lukla Airport: It is "among the most remote and difficult to land on in the world and a challenge for even the most technically proficient pilots and well-maintained aircraft, writes Foreign travel advice of United Kingdom.