The Civil Aviation Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) – the only international airport in the country – has refuted media reports that claimed that there was a possible threat of hijacking Indian airlines planes flying to Nepal.

In a statement issued Thursday, the civil aviation office said, “Tribhuvan International Airport meets all the provisions on aviation safety as per the international standard and principles of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and that all international and domestic flights are being operated regularly in a smooth manner.”

“Security arrangements at the Tribhuvan International Airport is capable of avoiding any possible unfavorable situation that may arise as TIA has been consolidating security provisions necessary for the aircraft and airport in a regular manner”, said a statement.

The Civil Aviation Office has also assured all passengers and tourists about the security at the airport and urged them to carry on their travel plans as scheduled.

Earlier, news reports in some Indian media, quoting intelligence sources, said that there was threat of Nepali Maoists trying to hijack Indian airlines planes.

Hindustan Times, a leading Indian daily, reported Wednesday that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security of India has asked all Indian airlines operating flights to Nepal “to follow all security procedures meticulously.”

“The airlines have been advised to take the assistance of armed personnel of the Nepal government if required,” the news report said quoting unnamed Indian government sources.

Chief of the Civil Aviation Office at the TIA, Bharat Dhakal, said there was tight security at the TIA. “People have to cross the ‘Golden Gate’ manned by the Royal Nepalese Army personnel to enter the TIA. Then they have to pass through the security check carried out by Nepal Police personnel. Finally, security officials of concerned airlines also carry out security checks,” said Dhakal.

The state-run Gorkhapatra daily on Friday quoted Indian security experts as saying that Nepali Maoists did not have technical know-how to hijack a plane and that they did not have any need to indulge in such kind of activities. nepalnews.com by Sep 10 04