KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has expressed the government’s unwavering determination to enhance Nepal’s air safety standards. Acknowledging the concerns raised in a memorandum submitted by a delegation led by Acting Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dol Prasad Aryal, PM Dahal emphasized the government’s efforts to eliminate Nepal’s airspace from the European Union (EU) blacklist.

During the meeting, the delegation highlighted key issues, including the need for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to address air safety seriously and ensure transparency in the procurement of new aircraft.

In response, Prime Minister Dahal assured that continuous efforts were being made to lift Nepal’s airspace restrictions imposed by the EU. He stressed the importance of building a trustworthy environment through ongoing reforms to facilitate the removal of Nepal’s airspace from the EU blacklist.

“I have engaged in discussions with EU representatives and officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, as well as CAAN, on this matter,” stated PM Dahal. He underscored the significance of air safety, recognizing its impact on Nepal’s international image. Expressing seriousness about the issue, he affirmed, “Air safety has become a challenging issue for us. It can raise questions about Nepal’s image in the international arena. So, I am serious about this matter.”

While acknowledging some improvements in air safety, the Prime Minister deemed them insufficient for the removal of Nepal from the EU blacklist. He emphasized the need for further enhancements and regarded the delegation’s suggestions as vital. PM Dahal committed to initiating result-oriented measures after holding further discussions with the regulatory body to address the challenges and improve air safety in Nepal.