CAAN halts paragliding in Pokhara amid dispute between pilots and entrepreneurs

POKHARA, Dec 16: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the regulatory body of the aviation sector of the country, has indefinitely suspended paragliding flights in the sky of Pokhara citing potential risk in this sector due to the ongoing disputes among the stakeholders.

CAAN stated that it took such a measure considering it unsafe to continue flight amid the increasing dispute between the Nepal Airsports Association (NAA), the umbrella organization of paragliding entrepreneurs, and the pilots and other paragliding entrepreneurs.

CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula explained that the indefinite suspension is a precautionary measure in light of security considerations due to the ongoing disputes.

"There is currently a dispute between umbrella organizations, entrepreneurs, and pilots. Flying during this time can be unsafe. There is no question of allowing flights when there is a threat to security," Niraula stated. He added that the suspension only applies to flights in the Pokhara region.

The pilots themselves stopped flying on Thursday as the dispute intensified among entrepreneurs, pilots, and the NAA. The conflict revolves around the demand of the pilots to operate flights through the one-door system implemented by the umbrella organization. However, some entrepreneurs have expressed reservations with the one-door system implemented by the NAA.

The NAA had enforced the one-door system for paragliding flights for the past one and a half years. However, recently, after 21 out of 52 companies rejected this decision, the NAA allowed them to fly under their own management. But, the pilots did not accept this decision, leading to the flight suspension starting from Thursday.

Sunil Bhattarai, president of the NAA, acknowledged the regulatory body's interest in disputes involving businessmen, pilots, and the umbrella organization. "The authority has temporarily halted flights. It is natural for the regulatory body to take an interest in whether there will be any insecurity while flying amid controversy," Bhattarai said. He emphasized the need to respect the authority's decision, highlighting the potential risks associated with operating flights amidst the ongoing crisis.

As a result of the ongoing dispute, paragliding flights have not taken place in the skies of Pokhara for the past two days.