KATHMANDU, May 13: Three airline companies of Nepal are currently suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for non-compliance with the aviation safety standards.
Among the suspended companies, one is operating aircraft while the other two provide helicopter services. As a result, 10 aircraft of these carriers are currently grounded and unable to fly.
Guna Airlines, Mustang Helicopters, and Manang Air are unable to operate flights due to the suspension of their Air Operator Certificates (AOC).
Guna Airlines, which owns seven aircraft, has been particularly affected as all of its aircraft have been grounded for the past two years by the CAAN due to aviation safety concerns amid the ongoing economic crisis.
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Additionally, Mustang Helicopters’ two helicopters and Manang Air's single helicopter are also unable to fly due to the AOC suspension.
According to CAAN, Guna Airlines has arrears of Rs 50 million. Despite the airline's desire to resume operations, its planes remain grounded due to non-compliance with aviation safety standards and regulations.
CAAN’s Information Officer Gyanendra Bhul said that even though Guna Airlines might be eager to fly, it has failed to meet its obligations, specifically in paying off the arrears on installment basis.
Furthermore, Guna Airlines' license, issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has expired and is currently undergoing the renewal process. Once the license is renewed, steps can be taken to lift the AOC suspension and potentially allow Guna Airlines to resume flights.
Mustang Helicopters, which operates two helicopters, has not been able to meet its obligations towards its employees, leading to the suspension of its AOC. Despite expanding its fleet from one to two helicopters, both remain grounded due to non-compliance with the aviation regulations.
Recently, Mustang Helicopters sold its majority stake to a group led by mountaineer Nirmal Purja. The company has indicated plans to resume flights under the new management, although a specific date for the restart of operations has not yet been determined.
The AOC of Manang Air was suspended following a helicopter accident. However, the airline recently acquired a new helicopter and is now in the process of preparing to resume flights. According to Manang Air, this helicopter has already completed the necessary pre-flight procedures and is expected to start operation within a month.
Information Officer Bhul said that Manang Air is actively working towards lifting the AOC suspension by completing all required formalities. CAAN has registered the new helicopter, and the only remaining step is the issuance of its airworthiness certificate.
Further expanding its operations, Manang Air plans to add another helicopter to its fleet within the next one and a half months. A senior official from the airline said that they are planning to increase the number of operational helicopters.
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