Minister Ale urges EU Ambassador to lift ban imposed on Nepal’s aviation

KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has requested European Ambassador to Nepal, Nona Deprez, to lift the ban imposed by EU on Nepal in aviation sector. A discussion took place between Minister Ale and Ambassador Deprez at the ministry on Thursday, according to Minister's personal secretary, Manoj Adhikari. Minister Ale reminded the EU Ambassador that Nepal's aviation sector was safe now. He further said Nepal's score was 70.1% on implementation of safety on eight categories set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which Minister Ale argued, was above the average. "Nepal's aviation is safe as per ICAO's indicators. Now, EU is requested for lifting the ban on Nepal's aviation," he underscored. EU blacklisted Nepal's aviation sector reasoning poor safety eight years back. However, the ICAO has already lifted the ban on Nepal with its improved safety indicators. EU has demanded further qualification and training of Nepali pilots to meet international standards. On the occasion, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), engineer Pradip Kumar Adhikari, informed the Ambassador that Nepal has managed the training and qualification of pilots in line with international criteria. Currently, Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air and Himalaya Airlines are ready for the international flight and waiting for EU's nod. (With inputs from RSS) READ ALSO:

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