Summary:
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 was grounded at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, for nearly two weeks after its left engine malfunctioned unexpectedly during takeoff preparations on July 11, 2025. The 12-ton engine was removed and replaced outdoors in front of Nepal Airlines’ maintenance hangar due to the lack of adequate hangar infrastructure at TIA.

Cathay Pacific flew a spare engine to Kathmandu using a Boeing 747-400 cargo aircraft, as the airport cannot accommodate larger 747-800 cargo jets due to limited parking space. The grounded aircraft occupied valuable apron space, causing congestion and delays. Despite airport requests to move the plane to remote parking, Cathay Pacific preferred to pay fees to keep it at the main apron.

The incident highlights TIA’s outdated facilities, especially the absence of an international-standard hangar for large aircraft maintenance and overhaul. Nepal lacks essential parts and tools for wide-body aircraft servicing, forcing airlines to rely on external support during technical emergencies. This event echoes similar challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic with other grounded aircraft.

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