Construction Project Negligence Raises Flight Safety Concerns at Tribhuvan International Airport

Kathmandu. Serious questions are being raised about flight safety due to the negligence of the construction project being operated at Tribhuvan International Airport. Allegations have arisen from within the airport itself that the concerned bodies have not been able to effectively control the repeated incidents of construction project vehicles entering unauthorized areas such as the runway and other sensitive areas.

Currently, infrastructure construction work, including a parallel taxiway, is ongoing at the airport. On Asar 15, at 6:12 AM, when Jazeera Airways flight number 1539 was about one mile away from landing in Kathmandu, a tipper crossed the runway from the middle of the runway.

Airport sources have stated that a potential accident was averted as necessary precautions were taken after the fire brigade and airside management division's patrol team immediately informed Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Eleven days later, on Asar 26, at 4:28 AM, another tipper was seen near the runway again while the flight process of an aircraft, ready to take Ganesh Nepali to India for treatment, was underway. During the investigation, sources claim that the vehicle was confirmed to be deployed in the airport's construction project.

According to airport sources, such incidents are not limited to one or two times. Despite vehicles and equipment related to the construction project repeatedly moving in the airside area against regulations, the responsible bodies are accused of not taking them seriously to stop it.

According to security officials, various airline companies have also repeatedly complained. However, they state that these complaints have not been effectively heard. Security officials claim that after the arrival of a new Director General, there has been an increasing tendency to treat such incidents as normal occurrences rather than serious security violations, and in some cases, not even considering reports necessary.

Meanwhile, employees allege that despite the issuance of a 'NOTAM' regarding the taxiway, the airport operations have not been conducted according to the prescribed standards in practice. According to them, although the safety standards appear strict on paper, their effective implementation in practice is creating further risks to flight safety.

According to sources, due to the influence of project chief Dipendra Shrestha, employees hesitate to speak openly on such matters. As a result, employees allege that the construction project's arbitrariness is increasing, security-related complaints are being suppressed, and necessary actions are not being taken by the concerned bodies. However, an official statement from the airport administration on this matter has not been obtained.

According to flight safety experts, the presence of any unauthorized vehicle or equipment on or near the runway is considered a very serious security violation according to international standards. However, their conclusion is that in Nepal, due to the pressure of construction projects, weak security culture, and the indifference of regulatory bodies, the convenience of the project is being prioritized over flight safety. They warn that if such a situation continues, the overall security system and international credibility of Tribhuvan International Airport may be questioned.