Nepal has to wait until Nov to know fate
KATHMANDU, MAR 29 -
Nepal will have to wait until November to know whether the operating ban (or operational restrictions) within the European Union (EU) against Nepali carriers will be lifted or continued for a longer term.
Report on on-site inspections carried by the European Commission (EC) of Nepal’s civil aviation sector in the first week of February to reassess whether the country be kept on the air safety list for a longer term was not considered necessary to discuss at the Aviation Safety Committee meeting held on March 25-27 in Brussels, Belgium. The next meeting is scheduled for November.
The EC on December 5, 2013, had for the first time put Nepal on the EU air safety list as it found Nepal lacking the ability to oversee aviation safety issues. However, it had said it could take positive decisions in the future if things kept moving in the right direction, or if Nepal was able to address air safety concerns. Following which, a team of experts from the EC conducted on-site inspections of Nepal’s civil aviation in February.
“Nepal’s agenda was not put on the committee’s table,” said a senior official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). “This means, we have to wait until November for the committee’s next meeting.”
The official said Nepal has to send a progress report on major issues pointed out by the EC again by September 15. “If they are satisfied with the improvement Nepal has made, particularly in operation, air operators certificate and pilot licensing, among others, there are chances that the ban is lifted,” the official said. “If not, the ban could continue for a longer term.”
CAAN sources said the Nepal Airlines (NA) crash on February 16, in which 18 passengers and crew members were killed, was the major reason behind the EC’s move not to consider Nepal’s agenda for discussion.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Acharya admitted that events that precipitated the blacklisting of Nepali carriers were due to Nepal’s failure to address safety concerns. He said the Nepali airlines industry has been marred with various deficiencies like ill-trained pilots and engineers resulting in poor safety records. “As all these safety-related issues need to be addressed, the ministry is committed to launching various safety improvement projects,” Acharya told a press conference here on Friday.
Fearing that the repercussion of the ban would impact tourism, the minister said a number of reform plans were in the pipeline. He said the CAAN has been directed to complete air operators’ certification by September 30 and invite the validation mission of the International Civil Aviation Organisation to validate the progress made by Nepal by January 15. CAAN has also been told to prepare a pilot licensing and training syllabus by April 15. “As we need to develop the tourism industry aggressively, the aviation safety issues have to be addressed immediately,” he said.
Prepare 10-year biz plan: Acharya to NAC
Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Acharya on Friday directed the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to proceed ahead with purchasing two wide-body jets by preparing a 10-year business plan within a month. He said the NAC has to replace its old aircraft gradually amid high operating costs. He added with the delivery of six Chinese-made aircraft, the NAC fleet will increase to nine to serve the domestic sector by October. The national flag carrier estimated its total income at Rs 9.63 billion for the current fiscal year, and is expected to touch Rs 21 billion after its ordered aircraft are put into domestic service. NAC plans to put its two grounded Twin Otters into service by April. Meanwhile, Acharya said the Nepal Tourism Board has been marred with nepotism which has affected its performance. He vowed to end such malpractices that have affected the board’s efficiency.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
