Tribhuvan International Airport

VNKT / KTM

Kathmandu, NP

Last Updated
Mar 4, 18:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 22 min ago
18:30Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
16°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
2 kt
Variable
6 km
Visibility
10,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR VNKT 041830Z VRB02KT 6000 FEW015 SCT030 BKN100 16/14 Q1019 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 4,390 ft
FEW 1,500 ft AGL
SCT 3,000 ft AGL
BKN 10,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
1,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,890 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
3,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,390 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
10,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
14,390 ft AMSL
QNH
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
873 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (4,390 ft)
Pressure Alt
4,218 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 5,392 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.8°C

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Airport Runway Layout

N
NKT
02
20

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
02/20 10,007 ft 148 ft ASP 21° No wind data
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - VNKT

7,710 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
3.2%
MVFR
83.5%
IFR
11.3%
LIFR
2%

Tribhuvan International Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 3.2% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 13.3% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 4.7 knots. Calm conditions occur 17% of the time. Temperatures typically range between 3°C and 31°C with an average of 15.6°C. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 4.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 30 kt
Calm Winds: 17%
Direction Distribution:
N
1.5%
NE
2.3%
E
23%
SE
5%
S
9.3%
SW
14.7%
W
24.7%
NW
2.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 15.6°C
Range: 3°C to 31°C
3°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.1%

Best Months for VFR

October September November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 02/20
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.4 kt

Statistics computed from 7,710 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Tribhuvan International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: VNKT
IATA Code: KTM
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 4,390 ft MSL

Location

City: Kathmandu
Country: NP
Latitude: 27.696600°
Longitude: 85.359100°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-6

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 10,007 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Tribhuvan International Airport

Overview

Tribhuvan International Airport serves as Nepal's primary international aviation gateway, located in Kathmandu at an elevation of 4,390 feet mean sea level. The airport handles international and domestic air traffic as the principal aviation facility for the Nepalese capital region. Its single runway measures 10,007 feet in length, constructed with asphalt surface, capable of supporting large commercial aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Kathmandu's high-altitude airport environment presents unique meteorological challenges for pilots, with significant elevation potentially impacting aircraft performance. The 4,390 ft MSL elevation requires careful consideration of density altitude, particularly during warmer seasons when aircraft performance can be substantially reduced. Pilots should anticipate potential temperature and pressure variations that can affect aircraft handling and lift characteristics.

Notable Features

Tribhuvan International Airport is situated in a complex topographical region surrounded by mountainous terrain, which creates unique aeronautical navigation considerations. The airport's geographical positioning within the Kathmandu Valley demands heightened situational awareness during approach and departure phases. Pilots must be prepared for potential wind shear, turbulence, and rapidly changing local meteorological conditions typical of high-elevation mountain airport environments.

Approach Considerations

The airport's single runway (02/20) provides a 10,007 foot asphalt surface for aircraft operations, offering substantial landing and takeoff capabilities. Given the single runway configuration, precise adherence to published approach procedures is critical, with special attention to terrain and altitude management. Pilots should maintain heightened awareness of local geographic constraints and potential wind gradient effects characteristic of the Kathmandu Valley's unique atmospheric conditions.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.