TIA Resumes Flights After Four-Hour Closure Caused by Lighting System Failure

KATHMANDU, Nov 9 

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has resumed operations after a four-hour shutdown triggered by a malfunction in its airfield lighting system. The technical issue, which began at around 5:30 p.m., forced the airport to halt all takeoffs and landings, according to Airport Director and spokesperson Rinji Sherpa.

Sherpa said the exact cause of the lighting failure remains unknown. “The cause of the lighting failure is under investigation. We will identify it after a detailed study,” he stated.

During the outage, several international flights were left holding in the air, while some were diverted to alternative airports. All domestic flights were grounded until the system was restored.

The airfield lighting system plays a critical role in ensuring safe runway visibility during nighttime operations. Airport authorities confirmed that normal flight movements have now resumed following repairs.