For years, flying within Nepal has required passengers to accept uncertainty as part of the journey. Delays have become routine. Flights are cancelled at the last minute with little or no explanation. After major disruptions, passengers are often left stranded at airports without clear updates, compensation, or alternative travel arrangements. Lost baggage is another common frustration. In most cases, passengers are forced to bear the inconvenience while airlines continue operating with little accountability. The proposed Domestic Air Carrier Liability Bill 2026 presents a rare opportunity to rebalance the relationship between airlines and passengers. If lawmakers endorse the bill without weakening its key provisions, Nepal's aviation industry could finally embrace a fundamental principle: passengers should not bear the cost of an airline's failures. The bill has the potential to become a landmark piece of consumer protection legislation. It requires airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, lost baggage, and accidents resulting from circumstances within the airline's control. Such provisions could significantly improve the flying experience by giving passengers meaningful legal protection.
Enough is Enough is a movement for social justice
The benefits are both immediate and practical. Passengers will no longer have to wonder whether they have any legal recourse after spending hours at an airport because of poor airline management. Airlines will be required to notify passengers of delays and cancellations in advance whenever possible, helping travelers avoid unnecessary financial losses and wasted time. They will also have to clearly disclose all applicable charges—including airport fees and taxes—at the time of booking so that passengers fully understand the total cost of their tickets. Another welcome provision is the proposed increase in compensation for death or permanent disability from US$20,000 to US$100,000. No amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one or the lifelong consequences of a serious injury. However, adequate compensation can provide much-needed financial support to affected families during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. The existing compensation level is outdated and falls well below contemporary international standards. Consumer rights have meaning only when businesses know there are real consequences for violating them. This is not an anti-airline bill; it is a pro-accountability bill. In fact, responsible airlines stand to benefit. Better communication during disruptions, prompt compensation, and professional customer service strengthen public trust, and greater trust encourages more people to travel by air. Nepal's domestic aviation network plays a unique role in the country's transportation system. Aircraft connect remote mountain communities where roads are unreliable, seasonal, or nonexistent. A dependable aviation sector is therefore not merely a commercial necessity but an essential public service.
However, Nepal has enacted many progressive laws whose impact has been undermined by weak implementation. The government must work to secure broad support in both Houses of Parliament and ensure the bill is passed without provisions that dilute passenger protections. Lawmakers should prioritize the public interest over the interests of airline operators. The government must also ensure that regulatory agencies have adequate legal authority, operational independence, and financial resources to enforce the law effectively. Complaint-handling mechanisms should be simple, transparent, accessible, and capable of delivering timely decisions. Every airline should be regulated fairly and consistently. Airlines, too, should prepare for this transition. Investing in better operational planning, timely communication, and customer service is not an unnecessary regulatory burden—it is an investment in credibility. Higher service standards will strengthen Nepal's aviation sector, improve its international reputation, and promote safer and more reliable operations. Passengers also have a responsibility to use the new system fairly and responsibly. Nepal's airlines have earned recognition for connecting some of the world's most challenging terrain. They should now earn equal respect for protecting the rights and dignity of the people who rely on them. The government must spare no effort to secure the bill's passage and ensure its effective enforcement.
