KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Bill, aiming to split Nepal’s civil aviation regulator into two separate entities, one for oversight and one for service operations, is expected to pass in the current session of the Federal Parliament, according to the International Relations and Tourism Committee.
The “Nepal Aviation Service Authority Bill, 2024,” is seen as a crucial step toward improving aviation safety and bringing Nepal in line with international aviation standards. The bill proposes separating regulatory and service-providing functions currently housed within the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), which experts say has long posed a conflict of interest.
Rajkishore Yadav, chair of the House committee, expressed confidence in the bill’s passage following a discussion with lawmakers who proposed amendments. He noted that the measure aligns with the government’s policy priorities.
The session was attended by Tourism Minister Beduram Bhusal and lawmakers Madhav Sapkota, Shishir Khanal, Nisha Dangi, Manish Jha, and Rajendra Bajgain, who voiced their opinions on the proposed changes.
The restructuring is widely seen as a precondition for lifting bans imposed by international aviation authorities and for enhancing Nepal’s credibility in global air safety rankings.
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