Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reiterated the government’s commitment to improving air safety. He made such a remark during a meeting with the airline operators at his office in Singha Durbar on Sunday, according to the state-owned news agency RSS.
On the occasion, PM Oli reminded the airline operators that a Bill is already in the parliament for structural reforms in the aviation sector, with proposals to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
The European Union as well as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have long been demanding the Government of Nepal to split the CAAN into a regulator and air service provider to enhance air safety. It is also one of the preconditions set by the EU to lift the suspension imposed on Nepali airliners.
Due to safety concerns following a series of air accidents in Nepal, the EU on December 5, 2013 banned Nepali airliners from flying on its airspace.
According to RSS, PM Oli emphasized the importance of enhancing air safety and urged the operators to focus on how Nepal could be removed from the EU's aviation blacklist.
During the meeting, the airline operators shared their concerns and challenges with PM Oli. Chairman of the Airline Operators' Association of Nepal, Manoj Karki, informed the prime minister about the difficulties faced in air service operations and sought assistance in resolving these issues.
Chief Secretary Leela Devi Gadtaula also attended the meeting.
