KATHMANDU, Aug 15: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, has said efforts were on to remove Nepal's aviation sector from the blacklist of the European Union. Minister Bhattarai said this while releasing the 'Aviation Safety Report 2019' published by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in the capital city on Thursday.

He shared that discussions were held repeatedly with the EU ambassador as part of the effort to ensure Nepali flight access to EU countries. "Nepal has already augmented the safety standard, then why the EUP was still putting Nepali flights in the blacklist," he wondered, adding that this question is put forth before the EU.

He reminded that he urged the EU ambassador to remove Nepal aviation from the blacklist, reasoning that it would be a breakthrough. Calling for cooperation for individuals and agencies to lift Nepal from the ban, Minister Bhattarai shared that meetings and discussions would be held with one and all to lobby for the support. According to him, personal rapport and networking had a huge influence on many of the international decisions on Nepal.

Stating that civil aviation is a sensitive sector, he urged all the stakeholder agencies not to compromise in the quality of aviation service as it would enhance the country's prestige. "Serious concerns have been raised in the civil aviation sector owing to human errors although complex geographical terrain and unfavorable weather too were cause for concerns in Nepal," he said, pressing for revamping the management of the aviation sector.

There are altogether 50 airports in Nepal, according to the Authority, of them, 35 were already blacktopped. He said that the process was forwarded to establish Authority as a regulatory and service-providing agency as per the concern of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

 
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