KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is set to change the ground handling services at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) by introducing competition and terminating the existing exclusivity held by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).

Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula highlighted that in accordance with Rule 5 (2) of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Airport Service Fee Regulations, 2078, ground management services at TIA will be open to organizations selected through competitive processes.

Under the new directive, ground handling services will be awarded through a bidding process to a selected company.

Previously, NAC enjoyed the sole privilege of providing ground handling facilities at the airport.

CAAN has also summoned NAC Chair Yuvraj Adhikari to provide an explanation. The Authority sought clarification on various audits conducted on airlines and reasons for non-compliance with CAAN directives.

The explanation demanded by the authority questions why the accounting manager, neglecting air safety systems and failing to implement given instructions, has not been removed.