KATHMANDU: The government has announced a five-year reduction in the purchase period for old aircraft.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Prem Ale informed the House that the government will reduce the period for purchasing old air crafts.

At present, there is a rule that a pressurized plane flown for 15 years can be purchased for flight in accessible areas. Similarly non-pressurized planes in operation for up to 20 years can be procured for flights in remote areas.

Minister Ale informed that the government is preparing to reduce it to 10 and 15 years respectively.

Lawmakers had expressed concern over the liberal provisions that let the old planes be procured and brought into use in Nepal. They had urged the government to seek the link between the old aircraft and the increasing instances of accidents.

Minister Ale vowed to stick to international regulations and practices while making provisions for the procurement and operation of aircraft in Nepal.