A fact-finding committee under the Tourism Ministry has exposed the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the country’s sole international aerial gateway, plagued with varied problems.

The report submitted to the Tourism Minister Aananda Prasad Pokhrel on Monday has blamed poor hygiene, maintenance, safety records and manner of staffs, among others for the poor level of services of the airport.

As a result, Nepal's only international airport has been gathering ample criticism over the past years and even a number of independent surveys have put the airport among the worst airports in the world.

Various infrastructures like baggage belt and toilet that were constructed in its initial phase has passed its life span but still have not been replaced, the committee said.

According to the committee’s report, open electric cables in the airport have posed risks of igniting a fire. The airport departure hall that was meant for hundreds of passengers has started to accommodate thousands but there have been no improvements in the infrastructures.

Banks inside the airport were found cheating passengers in exchange rates.