Why International Flights Diverted from Kathmandu Often Land in Bhairahawa and Pokhara
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On Sunday afternoon, due to hailstorm conditions in Kathmandu, three international flights were unable to land at Tribhuvan International Airport and were diverted outside the country.
According to the airport office, owing to adverse weather in Kathmandu, Turkish Airlines, Air China, and Sichuan Airlines flights turned back towards airports in India and China. The Turkish Airlines flight diverted to Delhi, while Air China and Sichuan Airlines returned to Lhasa and Chengdu respectively.
Air Traffic Control informed that all three aircraft entered Nepal’s airspace, held for a period before ultimately diverting.
International flights destined for Kathmandu have previously often been diverted to airports in Kolkata, Lucknow, or Delhi in India. In November last year, several flights were also redirected towards India due to lighting issues on the Tribhuvan runway.
However, diversions from Kathmandu to Nepali airports such as Bhairahawa and Pokhara have been rare, aviation experts point out. Despite Nepal having three international airports, why do flights often divert to neighboring countries?
Why Other Nepali Airports Are Not Commonly Chosen
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Tribhuvan Airport chief Tek Nath Sitoula explained that alternative Nepali airports are rarely selected during diversions after flights enter Nepalese airspace.
“The choice of alternate airport during diversions is typically pre-planned in each flight’s flight plan,” said Sitoula.
“Airlines designate alternate airports only within their regular route network.”
Former General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport, Devendra KC, said that diverted units select alternative airports considering hotel facilities and safety aspects.
“Aircraft prioritize the safest location rather than just any alternate landing spot. Pilots choose the nearest one suitable for fuel and time efficiency, which also helps reduce costs,” KC explained.
“Regarding why not Pokhara or Bhairahawa: Pokhara Airport is not suitable for large airplanes, and although Bhairahawa is more open, considerations like passenger accommodation and weather suitability play a role in decision-making.”
What Airports Diverted Flights Generally Choose
Experienced air traffic controller KC states that if a destination airport faces landing issues due to technical or human factors, flights will only divert to airports that have been properly tested and approved for operations.
Bhairahawa’s Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Airport, which began operations only a few years ago, host only limited numbers of international test and scheduled flights.
Airlines such as Nepal Airlines, Himalaya Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Air, Jazeera Airways, Flydubai, and Air China have operated landings at Bhairahawa.
Charter flights are conducted to Pokhara by Sichuan Airlines and Himalaya Airlines.
In the past, a Himalaya Airlines flight approaching Kathmandu from Lhasa was diverted to land at Pokhara in September, while most diversion landings at Bhairahawa include flights from Buddha Air, Malindo Air, and Himalaya Air, Gautam Buddha International Airport chief Shyam Kishor Sah noted.
“Only after confirming the pilot’s technical requirements and that test flights have been conducted, do flights divert here,” former director KC added.
Tribhuvan Airport Manager Sen mentioned that airlines prefer diversion to Indian airports largely due to their established regular operations and simpler passenger management.
“Bhairahawa is actually the best alternate option for diversions from Kathmandu; its flat terrain leads to fewer landing problems. However, we have yet to effectively promote this option among airlines,” Sitoula noted.
Officials have also stated that Nepal Airlines recently prioritized Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa for diversions.
What Facilities Do Bhairahawa and Pokhara Airports Offer?
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Gautam Buddha International Airport chief Shyam Kishor Sah said Bhairahawa Airport has the capacity to park five aircraft simultaneously.
“There are adequate facilities here from passenger hotels to other support services. Hotels near Bhairahawa can accommodate up to 1,000 people, but airlines tend to select those hotels with which they have established relations,” he explained.
“The low number of diversions here is more likely due to unfamiliarity between airlines and local infrastructure than any deficiency in the airport’s capacity.”
Former head KC noted that Nepal’s airport promotion and coordination with international airlines is weak.
“Air service chains are extensive in India, while Nepal has limited services. Proper operation of Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports could bring enhanced facilities to our nation’s airports as well,” he said.