Investigation committee formed to study aviation sector of Nepal

Published On: September 30, 2021 11:08 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 30: The government has formed an investigation committee to make the country's air service more robust, safe and effective. A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, formed a five-member investigation committee under the coordination of Joint Secretary Buddhisagar Lamichhane at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The members of the committee are former Director of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bheshraj Subedi, Senior Captain Krishna Bahadur Poudel and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Pramod Nepal and CAAN General Manager Laxman Devkota as member secretary, according to a statement issued by MoCTCA Spokesperson Taranath Adhikari.

A committee has been formed to study the physical and mechanical condition of domestic airlines in Nepal regarding various problems seen in their aircrafts and helicopters. The committee has been entrusted with the responsibility to submit the report within three months with suggestions.

The committee will study and observe the physical, mechanical and archival condition of all the aircrafts flying in and out of Nepal. The committee is also responsible for reviewing the CAAN’s test report on whether the airline has complied with the safety standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The committee will also examine whether the criteria for crew members have been met.

The committee will make suggestions to improve the quality of air safety by studying the safety related work to be followed by the CAAN. “We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the general public and tourists by making Nepal's air service reliable and trustworthy,” the statement read. Problems have been seen in airplanes and helicopters operating in Nepal at different times.

On Monday, a Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar failed to land at Biratnagar Airport due to problems related to landing gear.