KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to abide by the concerns of the European Commission to remove Nepali airlines companies from EU’s blacklist.

Addressing a program on the occasion of 25th anniversary of CAAN, Minister Kirati instructed the CAAN officials to give topmost priority for the aviation safety and maintain the nation’s image by providing passenger-friendly services.

On the occasion, Minister Kirati said that Nijgadh International Airport would be developed in the public private partnership framework and asked the officials to work considering the government policy and target for tourism promotion and development.

Likewise, State Minister for Tourism Sushila Shreepaili Thakuri asked the CAAN officials to advance by forging partnership and focus on future plans.

Ministry’s Secretary Dr Dipak Kalfe said that the CAAN should meet its targets by firmly implementing the annual policy and programs.

On the occasion, Nepal’s first Air Traffic Controller Narayan Bahadur Singh was honoured posthumously while this year’s ‘CAAN Service Prize’ of Rs 100,000 was provided to Director Raju Shrestha.