EU Deepens Aviation Safety Partnership with Nepal, Kathmandu Hosts Key Regional Workshops

The European Union (EU) has expanded its aviation safety cooperation with Nepal, signaling a shift toward a long-term and more integrated regional partnership aimed at strengthening air safety standards.

As part of this renewed collaboration, Kathmandu is hosting two major aviation workshops, the Regional Aviation Safety Programme (RASP) from June 23 to 25 and the South Asia Regional Initiative (SARI) from June 29 to July 2. The sessions focus on harmonizing operational standards across South Asia, covering key areas such as crew fatigue management, advanced pilot training, and modern aviation oversight systems aligned with the standards of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In a significant development, the EU has formally acknowledged Nepal’s comprehensive Corrective Action Plan submitted to address aviation safety concerns. Following the submission of the complete package, officials from the EU’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport are expected to conduct a formal review in the coming period, marking an important step toward improving Nepal’s domestic aviation safety framework.

The partnership underscores air safety as a critical foundation for economic growth, particularly for tourism and regional connectivity. EU Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Millar said the European Commission has positively noted Nepal government’s growing focus on aviation safety, highlighting its inclusion in the Finance Minister’s recent budget speech.

With both sides moving from periodic technical exchanges to a demand-driven collaborative model, the partnership is expected to support the development of a safer, more resilient aviation sector in Nepal that aligns with international safety standards.