A total of 149 passengers who were stranded in Bhairahawa for 16 hours due to a technical issue in their aircraft have finally departed for Dubai on another narrow-body aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). These passengers had initially taken off from Kathmandu on Wednesday night on an NAC narrow-body aircraft scheduled to fly via Bhairahawa to Dubai.
The passengers were left stranded in Bhairahawa after the aircraft encountered a technical malfunction upon landing. As a result, NAC arranged for another narrow-body aircraft, ‘Lumbini,’ to operate a ferry flight from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa, which finally took off at 3:30 PM on Thursday, carrying the passengers to Dubai.
Aircraft Grounded in Bhairahawa Due to Technical Issue
The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) aircraft, which departed from Kathmandu at 10:30 PM on Wednesday, successfully landed but was unable to proceed further due to a technical issue. Engineers inspecting the aircraft identified a malfunction related to the ‘overspeed protection indication’ in the engine, raising concerns about its operational safety.
As a precautionary measure, the flight crew decided to ground the aircraft at around 1 AM to prevent potential risks. This unexpected technical problem disrupted travel plans, leaving passengers stranded in Bhairahawa until an alternative solution could be arranged.
Passengers Provided Accommodation in Bhairahawa Hotels
With the aircraft grounded, the 149 passengers were left without an immediate alternative to continue their journey. According to NAC staff stationed in Bhairahawa, the airline covered the expenses for the passengers’ overnight stay at five different hotels in the city. Due to the late-hour technical glitch, NAC’s limited staff in Bhairahawa had to call back immigration officers and airport officials, who had already left for the night, to facilitate hotel arrangements for the stranded passengers. The last group of passengers was accommodated in hotels by 4 AM.
Replacement Aircraft Deployed from Kathmandu
Understanding the critical nature of the situation, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) promptly arranged for its second narrow-body aircraft, ‘Lumbini,’ to operate a replacement flight. The aircraft was dispatched from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa on Thursday afternoon to accommodate the stranded passengers and ensure their onward journey to Dubai.
After facing a prolonged delay of 16 hours, the passengers were finally able to continue their trip. The replacement aircraft successfully completed the flight, resolving the unexpected disruption. NAC’s swift response helped minimize further inconvenience, allowing travelers to reach their destination safely.
Grounded Aircraft Had Recently Undergone Maintenance
Interestingly, the aircraft that suffered the technical malfunction, ‘Sagarmatha,’ had only recently returned from a major maintenance check. Just six days ago, NAC had spent NPR 66.8 million on a ‘Five-C Check’ (comprehensive maintenance) in China before bringing the aircraft back into operation. However, despite this extensive maintenance, the aircraft encountered an engine speed anomaly, forcing the crew to ground it for necessary repairs.
Repairs and Return to Kathmandu
Following the incident, NAC confirmed that the malfunctioning aircraft was being repaired in Bhairahawa and would be flown back to Kathmandu once maintenance was complete. Additionally, sources revealed that before departing from Kathmandu on Wednesday, the same aircraft had experienced a minor delay of about two hours due to the replacement of its fuel meter.
Nepal Airlines’ Bhairahawa Operations
Nepal Airlines currently holds landing permits for the Kathmandu-Bhairahawa-Dubai and Malaysia-Bhairahawa-Kathmandu routes. Despite this operational expansion, technical challenges continue to pose obstacles for the airline, as seen in this latest incident. The delay and subsequent resolution highlight the need for continued monitoring and technical efficiency to ensure smoother international transit through Nepal’s newly operational Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
The airline has assured passengers that stringent maintenance checks and improved response mechanisms will be implemented to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
