Lawmakers urge assurance of safe Nepali skies to int’l community

KATHMANDU: Members of Nepal’s House of Representatives have emphasized the need to convey a strong message to the international community affirming the safety and reliability of Nepali airspace.

During Monday’s parliamentary session, lawmakers took part in deliberations on the proposal to consider the “Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bill, 2081.” They stressed the importance of demonstrating Nepal’s compliance with international aviation safety standards to regain global trust.

Speaking during the session, Nepali Congress MP Rajendra Kumar KC pointed out that Nepal’s airspace had been blacklisted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union (EU). He underscored the urgency of reassuring the global community that Nepal’s aviation services are safe, trustworthy, and credible.

KC called for the enactment of laws that would signal that Nepal’s skies are secure and conducive to safe travel, helping to pave the way for Nepal’s removal from the ICAO and EU aviation blacklists. “It is essential to progress in a way that sends a clear message that Nepal’s skies are safe and our aviation laws are transparent,” he added.

Similarly, CPN-UML lawmaker Eknath Dhakal welcomed the bill, stating that the development and expansion of the Civil Aviation Authority in line with international standards would enhance effective regulation and ensure aviation services in Nepal are safe, regular, high-quality, reliable, and accessible. He noted that the lack of a strong regulatory body had led to repeated aviation accidents, and expressed hope that the bill would address such concerns. Dhakal recommended that the bill be refined and amended as necessary before implementation.

Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Shishir Khanal suggested the inclusion of provisions for an independent appellate tribunal within the bill. Citing practices from countries like India and Australia, he said such a mechanism would aid in the resolution of aviation-related disputes and reduce the burden on courts. He added that an independent appeals body would help in delivering swift and efficient legal remedies.

Khanal also noted that while the bill grants financial autonomy to the Authority, it lacks provisions to ensure accountability. He emphasized the need to assign external audit responsibilities to bolster financial transparency.

Prem Suwal, MP from the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party (NMKP), opposed the idea of granting autonomy to government bodies, asserting that essential sectors such as aviation, banking, education, health, and food security should remain under direct government control. He argued that handing over aviation services to private entities was inappropriate and expressed concern over the bill’s reference to an “autonomous authority.”

Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, had tabled the proposal to discuss the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bill, 2081. Lawmakers across parties echoed the necessity to enhance aviation safety and modernize Nepal’s civil aviation system in line with global norms.