Kathmandu, Nepal – A sudden electrical malfunction plunged the runway of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) into darkness Saturday night, forcing the immediate suspension of all evening flight operations at Nepal’s sole international gateway. The critical failure of runway edge lights, attributed by airport officials to a short circuit, led to major disruptions for both domestic and international services.
The operational halt took effect as darkness descended on November 9, 2025, significantly impacting scheduled arrivals and departures. According to airport authorities, while daytime movements remained unaffected, the loss of essential runway illumination rendered the facility unusable for nighttime flights, necessitating the diversion of several aircraft to alternate airports in the region.
Night Operations Grinded to a Standstill
The incident was first reported earlier in the day; however, engineers struggled throughout Saturday to locate and isolate the source of the electrical fault. Hansa Raj Pandey, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), confirmed to media outlets that the outage was localized to the runway lighting system.
The unavailability of reliable edge lighting—a mandatory safety requirement for night takeoffs and landings—triggered the flight suspensions. Airlines were compelled to make rapid schedule adjustments and reroute inbound aircraft, causing significant inconvenience for travelers.
“The primary focus is rapid restoration while ensuring absolute safety for any potential operations,” Pandey stated, noting that maintenance crews worked late into the evening. The ambitious target was to fully restore lighting functionality by 9:30 p.m. local time, though the complex nature of locating the fault line presented ongoing challenges to the repair team.
Navigating the Aftermath
Airport infrastructure integrity, particularly electrical systems, is paramount for maintaining reliable air traffic flow. The short circuit at TIA underscores the vulnerability of critical airport infrastructure to unexpected failures. For travelers affected by the outage, keeping continuous communication with their respective airlines is essential for updated rerouting or rescheduling information.
Safety Standards & Operational Impact
- Mandatory Lighting: Runway edge lights define the lateral dimensions of the runway, a critical visual aid necessary for pilots during reduced visibility conditions, particularly at night.
- Diversion Protocol: Affected international flights likely diverted to major regional hubs such as Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi or various airports in Bangladesh or Thailand, depending on their origin and fuel reserves.
- Passenger Impact: The grounding of flights and subsequent diversions led to immediate logistical challenges, requiring airlines to coordinate accommodation and alternative transport for hundreds of passengers.
Despite the setbacks, officials prioritized a thorough diagnosis before implementing any temporary fixes, emphasizing long-term system stability. Updates on the progression of the repairs are expected as airport maintenance crews work diligently to rectify the failure and restore full operational capabilities at TIA. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the need for rigorous, preventative maintenance schedules for essential airport systems, especially in high-traffic hubs like Kathmandu.