'Airport security goat' forces pilot to abandon landing at Kathmandu International Airport

The goat (not pictured) was believed to have originated from the airport's security team. Photo / 123RF

The airport has been plagued with wildlife problems for years

An unusual member of Kathmandu International Airport's security team forced a passenger plane to abandon its landing last week.

The Bhutan Airlines flight was on its final approach when a goat was spotted on the runway, prompting crew to initiate a go-around, or "goat around", as the Aviation Herald reported.

The Airbus A319-100 then ascended out of the narrow Kathmandu valley and entered a hold, while airport staff captured the goat and removed it from the area.

The aircraft, which had flown a 70 minute journey from Paro in Bhutan with 68 passengers and eight crew, landed safely 40 minutes after its first attempt.

A preliminary investigation found the goat came from the army battalion responsible for airport security, as the animal had appeared in a high security area.

Kathmandu International Airport, also known as Tribhuvan International Airport, is Nepal's only international airport and is served by major international airlines including Qatar Airways, Etihad and Singapore Airlines.

Kathmandu International Airport is the gateway to Nepal. Photo / 123RF

The incident is not the first time animals have caused trouble at the airport, which according to the Himalayan Times has been plagued by a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, dogs, cows, rats, rodents, cats and even buffalo.

After suffering numerous bird strikes and receiving criticism for its lack of wildlife management experts, the airport deployed local hunters to patrol the area.

"The TIA now has a five-member hunter squad being active round the clock only at the airside areas," an airport spokesman told the Himalayan Times.

- nzherald.co.nz