Nepal's civil aviation authority suspends 3 officials after Nepal Airlines and Air India planes come in close proximity
Kathmandu: Three employees of Nepal's air traffic controller department have been suspended for "carelessness" by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), said spokesperson Jagannath Niroula.
Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) of Tribhuvan International Airport involved in traffic conflict incident (between Air India and Nepal Airlines on 24th March 2023) have been removed from active control position until further notice. pic.twitter.com/enxd0WrteZ
— Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) March 26, 2023
An Airbus A-320 airplane belonging to Nepal Airlines, which was traveling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Kathmandu, and an Air India plane en route to Kathmandu from New Delhi nearly collided on Friday morning, he said, reported media.
According to the CAAN spokesperson, the Air India airplane was descending from an altitude of 19,000 ft, while the Nepal Airlines aircraft was flying at 15,000 ft in the same location.
Upon detecting the proximity of the two aircraft on radar, the Nepal Airlines airplane descended to 7,000 ft, he added, the reports said.
In response to the incident, the Civil Aviation Authority has established a three-person committee to investigate the matter.
The CAAN has suspended the three officers, who oversaw the control room at the time of the incident.
