Air India, Nepal airlines planes almost collided, 2 controllers suspended

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two employees of the air traffic controller department for “carelessness that could have led to a collision between a Nepal Airlines Corporation plane and an Air India aircraft in the sky on March 24.”  On Friday morning, Nepal Airlines and Air India’s planes were spared a major accident. An NAC plane coming to Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and an Air India plane coming to Kathmandu from New Delhi almost collided.

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

The Air India aircraft was descending from 19,000 ft while the Nepal Airlines aircraft was flying at an altitude of 15,000 ft at the same location, Niroula said. After it was shown on the radar that the two aircraft were in proximity, the Nepal Airlines aircraft descended to 7,000 ft, the spokesperson said. The Civil Aviation Authority has formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the matter.