TIA Reopens After Turkish Airlines Aircraft Wheel Fire Disrupts Operations

Operations at Tribhuvan International Airport resumed approximately one and a half hours after a Turkish Airlines aircraft experienced a wheel fire during landing on Monday morning.

The incident involved Turkish Airlines flight TKI 726 arriving from Istanbul, Turkey. According to airport authorities, smoke and flames were detected in the aircraft’s wheel section shortly after landing at the airport. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated through emergency exits.

Acting General Manager of the airport, Teknath Sitaula, said the airport had remained closed from 6:45 am following the emergency situation and resumed operations after the aircraft was secured and the runway cleared.

Following the reopening, an Air India flight landed at around 8:30 am, while a FlyDubai aircraft touched down at approximately 8:35 am. Several outbound flights also resumed after operations returned to normal.

Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Silwal from the Airport Security Office stated that the fire was brought under control with the assistance of airport fire engines. The aircraft was halted on the runway during the rescue operation.

The aircraft was carrying 273 passengers and 11 crew members from Istanbul to Kathmandu. No injuries have been reported.