KATHMANDU: Lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Sunday called for the urgent enactment of a new law to strengthen Nepal’s civil aviation sector, emphasizing the need to ensure safety, transparency, and international credibility.
Participating in the principled discussion on the Civil Aviation Authority Bill presented by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, MPs said the bill was crucial to reform and secure Nepal’s aviation sector.
MP Rajendra Kumar KC said the bill was necessary to establish a proper legal framework for civil aviation. Similarly, MP Eknath Dhakal argued that the bill would address a longstanding conflict of interest by separating the regulatory body from the service provider, leading to improved oversight.
Raising concerns over the content of the bill, MP Prem Suwal objected to the use of the term “autonomous,” stating that an organization under the ministry could not be fully autonomous. He also criticized the lack of clarity regarding the division of responsibilities between the government and the private sector. MP Suwal further noted that the truth behind the Saurya Air accident had not been made public.
MP Shishir Khanal welcomed the move to separate regulatory and service functions but warned that the bill lacked sufficient accountability measures. He called for stronger provisions to ensure public transparency and aviation safety.
Other lawmakers, including MPs Roshan Karki and Udaya Shumsher Jabra, stressed the need for open competition in appointing board members and establishing an independent body to investigate aviation accidents.
MP Ranju Kumari Jha expressed hope that the separation of regulatory and operational bodies would prevent incidents like the Saurya Air accident, which she claimed appeared deliberate.
Highlighting international concerns, MP Bimala Subedi pointed out that the bill failed to address issues raised by the European Union and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding Nepal’s aviation safety standards. MP Damodar Poudel Baragi added that although task forces were formed after accidents, their recommendations were rarely implemented.
MPs including Durga Rai, Shiva Nepali, Amresh Kumar Singh, and Laxmi Tiwari underscored the need to amend the bill to restore global confidence in Nepal’s aviation sector and to address persistent issues of non-transparency in regulatory bodies.
Some lawmakers, including MP Jeevan Pariyar, alleged that there were deliberate efforts to obstruct the bill’s passage in the House. He emphasized the need to study international practices to strengthen the legislation.
MPs Ramkrishna Yadav and Ranendra Barali also supported the bill, stating it could boost Nepal’s tourism industry if implemented properly. Yadav suggested that the chairperson of the civil aviation board should not be the minister, while Barali highlighted challenges faced by officials working to improve the sector.
MPs Nainakala Thapa and Sunita Baral emphasized the importance of holding service providers accountable and warned against repeating past delays that stalled aviation reforms.
Minister Pandey, while presenting the bill, assured the House that it would address safety, transparency, and regulatory concerns raised by both national and international stakeholders.
The discussion highlighted growing political consensus on the need for urgent reform in Nepal’s civil aviation sector, amid heightened concerns over safety and regulatory credibility.
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