KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, has urged lawmakers and concerned stakeholders to expedite the passage of two key aviation-related bills: the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Bill, 2024 and the Nepal Air Service Authority Bill, 2024.
Speaking at a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Friday, Minister Pandey said the bills are not only the government’s initiative but are also being advanced with input from the parliamentary committee, experts, and other relevant bodies.
He clarified that the proposed legislation aims to separate the regulatory and service-provider roles currently handled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), aligning with recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and addressing domestic aviation needs.
“There should be no ambiguity about separating the regulatory body from the service provider,” Minister Pandey said. “This structural reform is necessary to improve aviation safety in Nepal.”
He expressed confidence that autonomous operations of these two distinct bodies would lead to enhanced oversight and safer air travel in the country.
Committee Chair Raj Kishor Yadav also underscored the importance of the bills, calling on MPs to participate seriously in the legislative process. The meeting included a preliminary discussion on the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Bill, 2024.
The separation of roles has been a long-standing recommendation from international aviation bodies, with Nepal’s aviation sector under scrutiny for safety lapses, including a ban on Nepali airlines from flying into the European Union.
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