European Commission keeps all Nepal’s airlines on EU air safety list

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Airlines Operators Association of Nepal, releasing a press statement, has expressed its serious concern over the European Commission (EC)’s decision to keep all Nepali airline companies on European Union’s air safety list.

The decision came after an EC meeting on December 5, based on safety information from various sources.

“The European Union had already observed the safety situation of the country in 2009, and had stated in its report that the safety status of the country was satisfactory but the recent decision to ban Nepali airlines has disappointed the aviation industry,” states the association.

According to the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal, the EU should have once again observed the present scenario of the Nepali aviation industry before listing Nepali airline companies in its safety list.

However, the European Commission in its recent statement has mentioned that due to the current safety situation in Nepal, the commission had to put all Nepali carriers on the EU air safety list. It also says that the ban will help the aviation authorities improve aviation safety.

According to the commission, it has already asked the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to prepare an aviation safety assistance project for Nepal.

There are eight private fixed-wing operators for domestic flights, namely, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Tara Air, Simrik Air, Sita Airlines, Air Kasthamandap, Goma Air and Makalu Air, and 26 international operators in Nepal.

The European Commission has banned Nepal-based airline companies from flying into or within the EU.