10:11 PM (IST) Update: Fly Dubai flight 576 (Boeing 737-800) Kathmandu to Dubai is normal now and proceeding to its destination Dubai as per the flight plan. Kathmandu airport operation normal from 1614 UTC (09:59pm local time): Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
According to reports, a Fly Dubai flight caught fire shortly after taking off from Nepal’s Kathmandu airport.
Fly Dubai aircraft that reportedly caught fire upon taking off from Kathmandu airport has now been flown to Dubai, says Nepal’s Minister for Tourism.
A Flydubai flight from Kathmandu to Dubai experienced a bird strike during takeoff but is now heading to the United Arab Emirates, the company said on Monday.
Jagannath Niroula, spokesperson for Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said in a statement to Reuters an engine caught fire on the Flydubai Boeing 737-800 plane with 167 passengers on board, shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu and the fire had been brought under control. (Reuters)
A Fly Dubai aircraft that was detained in the skies above Kathmandu due to an onboard fire has returned to Dubai. Sudan Kiranti, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, stated that the aircraft has already departed for Dubai.
"The Fly Dubai aircraft is returning to its destination, and no one should be concerned," he said to media.
At 9:23 p.m., one of the engines of the aircraft that took off from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu was observed to be on fire. After the aircraft caught fire, it was kept aloft for a while. Four aircraft from Air Arabia, Malaysian Air, Singapore Air, and Buddha Air were detained in Nepal's airspace.