TIA to operate 24 hours today to ease air traffic congestion

Published On: April 20, 2018 02:09 PM NPT By: Bipana Thapa

Photo Courtesy: Dipesh Shrestha

KATHMANDU, April 20: Following hours of delay after a Malindo Airlines skidded off the runway during takeoff yesterday night, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has decided to operate 24 hours today to ease air traffic.

The Malindo Boeing 737-900 was en route to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from TIA with 139 passengers onboard when it skidded around 100 feet off the runway. There were no casualties.

The plane was safely removed from the runway at 11 AM. With insufficient runway, 11 flights have been delayed.

“To reduce current air traffic, we have already consulted with other airlines. We have also extended our duty hours and will be operating for 24 hours to ease air traffic congestion,” Sanjeeb Gautam, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

See how the airlines was safely removed from the runway.