The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has formulated special flight schedules for these airlines effective from June 1 to June 30.

Highlighting that the airliners must follow COVID-19 norms, the CAAN said, “The flights have been approved in compliance with the decision of the government made on May 27 to facilitate the seamless traveling of needy public amid the global pandemic of COVID-19.”

Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Air India have been permitted to operate one regular flight a week, while Nepal Airlines will operate two flights each week.

The Nepali Government suspended regular international flights from May 7 and domestic flights from May 4 due to the threat of the second wave of the pandemic. Only a few flights under the air bubble have been operated between Nepal and Delhi.

The post Nepal Permits Four Airliners to Resume International Flights! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The Nepali delegation and the EU discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest in a cordial, candid, and constructive environment.

During the meeting, they discussed the social and economic impacts of the current coronavirus pandemic in Nepal and the EU.

The Nepali delegates put forth the efforts made by the Nepali Government to contain and combat coronavirus in the country and provided an update on its economic impact.

Moreover, Nepal briefed on its substantial efforts to improve air safety, particularly regarding the proposed new aviation legislation, which is yet to be acknowledged by the Federal Parliament of Nepal.

The EU appreciated this positive development and reiterated that further progress needed to be made to implement the legislation. It informed that it is planning to develop a technical assistance project to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to enhance aviation safety oversight.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Affairs Service (EEAS), and Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal, Officiating Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Nepal.

The EU-Nepal Joint Commission meeting, which has taken place annually since 2009, portrays the EU’s and Nepal’s determination to strengthen their partnership further.

The next Joint Commission will take place in Kathmandu in 2021.

The post EU to Offer Technical Assistance to CAAN to Enhance Aviation Safety! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), a total of 4, 532 foreigners have been airlifted from Nepal through 34 international chartered flights from March 24 to April 23.

Even the Nepalis with the green card have left for Australia and the US during the period.

Nine airlines companies have conducted flights to Nepal. They include including Nepal Airlines, Titan Airways, Malindo Air, Shree Airlines, Sudan Airways, Buddha Air, Druk Air, and Himalayan Airlines.

Nepal Airlines has conducted five flights while Qatar Airways conducted nine flights.

The post 4532 Foreigners ‘Airlifted’ From Nepal appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Following the chopper crash that killed seven officials including Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has announced measures for operational safety of helicopters flying the region.

In this regard, the country’s aviation experts are currently preparing VIP flight guidelines for choppers while also welcoming foreign experts to conduct operational safety assessments.

“We have given the helicopter safety team two weeks to prepare the VIP flight guideline. The guideline will basically incorporate flight planning, pilot experience to handle VIP flight movement and other required procedures related to weather and terrain,” CAAN Deputy DG Rajan Pokhrel said in a statement.

Pokharel further informed that the new measures are part of the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 19 mandates for implementing safety management system.

According to officials, the new rule also enforces strict following of instructions even in case of emergencies that demand change in pilot’s decision.

It is noteworthy here that the recent crash of Air Dynasty chopper happened after the Captain Prabhakar KC reported “heavy snowfall and not able to airborne”.

However, KC proceeded further and had hit a mountain cliff. What forced the captain to proceed is the matter under probe!

“The new guideline will strictly enforce this rule and hopefully develop a culture to refuse to fly when the situation is not favorable,” adds Pokharel.

Load factor is another key aspect that the experts laid emphasis on! Towards this end, the regulator urged the operators of AS350 B3e helicopter to temporarily bring down the bench seat to the level of pilot’s seat in high-altitude conditions.

“Based on the experts’ advice that reducing load can increase choppers flying performance, we decided to reduce one seat from the AS350 B3e helicopters while flying in high-altitude areas,” said Pokhrel.

It is noteworthy that adverse climatic conditions is among the top reasons for flight crashes in Nepali air space!

The regulator also announced to stop flying choppers at a helipad in Gorak Shep, located at 5,164 metres elevation near Everest Base Camp, owing to the region’s fast-changing weather conditions.

“We have asked the operators to find an alternative to Gorak Shep. We will assess the new area before allowing helicopters to perform their operation from the new base,” Pokharel informed.

The latest decision is coming in the light of debate over growing number of chopper crashes in Nepali airspace.

Hope the new regulations would come as savior in controlling the unexpected air accidents.

The post Nepal Air Crashes: CAAN Enforces Strict Air Safety Guidelines appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The third consecutive incident of a Russian national Dmitril Stepanishin, who died making a solo flight in Pokhara on March 05, 2019, made the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to stop solo paragliding in Pokhara.

Surprisingly, all the three incidents took place in the last one-week period. #NepalParagliding

Earlier on March 03, 2019, a Romanian national Ebe Chisjer (40) lost his life in paragliding after his flight crash-landed into the Phewa Lake.

Later on March 04, 2019, two pilots have suffered injuries in a similar accident at Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality and Modi Rural Municipality in the Pokhara district.

And, the third incident on March 05, 2019 occurred after Dmitril lost his control soon after a solo flight from the Sarangkot Hill in Pokhara and crashed into a hill, says Inspector Ganesh Subedi of the Kaski District.

Considering the series of incidents, CAAN called on for halt of solo paragliding flights in the region with immediate effect until further notice.  #NepalAdventureTourism

Flight beyond the specified limits by some foreign pilots is also behind CAAN’s decision.

Sindhupalchok As Paragliding Destination

Meanwhile, authorities of Sindhupalchok district are striving hard to develop the region as Nepal’s paragliding destination.

Towards this end, a group of paragliding enthusiasts have conducted three successful flight tests at Kadambas in Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality, which turned out to be a grand success.

According to Milan Pakhrin of Lamachaur Paragliding Organisation, test flights were conducted from a hill point called Lamachaurdanda situated at the height of 1,300 feet.

Member of the Paragliding and Hang-Gliding Association Umesh KC led the testing team.

“The test flights were successful in view of geographical structure, height and air pressure,” said Pakhrin. 

Continuing the pace, the Lamachaur Paragliding Organization is organizing more test flights on March 9, 2019 with the budget of NPR 400,000.

KC is hopeful about Lamachaurdanda’s potential to become Nepal’s popular commercial paragliding hub. “The beach of Sunkoshi or Indrawati could become ideal landing spot,” he adds.

Municipality Mayor Aman Singh Tamang has also extended his office’s support to the Lamachaur Paragliding Organization in developing ‘Lamachaurdanda’ as a paragliding destination.

“We will help them build necessary infrastructures and offer technical support,” Tamang said in a statement.

The post Solo Paragliding in Pokhara Takes Halt, Sindhupalchok Emerging…! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

The incident directly pointed at all such crashes that have created havoc over the period.

The latest crash of Air Dynasty helicopter was surprisingly the second one in the last six months period.

Looking at this, one can understand the frequency of air crashes in the Nepali air space!

This has given rise to a serious doubt: ‘Why these many happenings?’

As the records show, 19 horrifying helicopter crashes have occurred till date since the time the aviation authority started maintaining records in 1966.

The latest incident has come at a time when the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has been effortlessly working to introduce safety reforms in the country’s civil aviation!

The occurrence of new incident was attributed to bad weather conditions. But it’s not the only incident, there are two such!

A year back, ‘Altitude Air Crash’ took place in Mailung Pakha (Meghang Rural Municipality) of Nuwakot district, claiming lives of six people.

Exactly three years back, a Fishtail Air helicopter also crashed in Nuwakot district after hitting a cliff, killing seven people on board.

What’s common in all these three incidents was the pilot’s driving behavior to adverse climatic conditions. In its report on the Fishtail Air crash, the Tourism Department had also confirmed the same citing ‘pilot’s stress’ to climatic condition and ‘failure to manage control after entering clouds’

Source: NepalInData

Adverse Climate Aside, Regulatory Gaps Exist!

According to airport officials, Prabhakar KC, Captain of Air Dynasty helicopter, had initially reported the adverse situation saying, “Heavy snowfall. Not able to airborne.”

But what made him change his decision and finally fly is the real matter of concern, feels Gunjaman Lama, a retired Brigadier General in the Nepal Army, who helps CAAN in inspecting helicopter operations.

Lama, who holds rich experience in flying VIPs and VVIPS, explains that the new generation pilots (particularly in operating helicopters run by private operators), tend to agree with everything they are told with regard to flight procedures.

 “Although they are trained and professionally taught to say ‘no’ when the situation is not favorable, no one follows the rule,” says Lama.

Despite Timely Warnings, Strict Orders!

Speaking on the latest incident, another senior CAAN official said, “We don’t know whether the pilot was forced to fly or if he made a decision to take the risk himself.”

“But the mistakes are committed repeatedly,” says Lama, adding that CAAN has been informing its pilots about threat in entering clouds while flying.

Towards this end, CAAN had also issued orders warning pilots with the cancellation of their license if found entering clouds during flight.

Now, the latest incident comes as a question to the issued orders, especially for flights involving young pilots with just hours of flying experience.

KC was too young to fly VIP choppers, says a senior pilot at privately-owned chopper company.

“KC was a disciplined professional and he was not an aggressive pilot. But he may have felt the pressure to operate the chopper and fly them to a lower altitude destination because he was carrying high-profile individuals, including his own boss,” said Ashish Sherchan, owner of Kailash Helicopters.

Besides choppers, there are also few incidents involving twin-engine passenger aircraft.

“We are equally focused on maintaining the safety of both chopper and twin-engine aircraft operations. But, since the operational requirement of choppers are different and are basically chartered, the operators must be more liable for passenger safety,” says Rajan Pokhrel, Department of Nepal aviation Safety.

As per the statistics show, at least four new helicopter companies have begun operations in Nepal in the last two years, giving rise to the number of private chopper companies to 10.

On an end note, Lama adds that younger pilots should be given proper training to acknowledge risks before they fly along with abilities to push back in intense-pressure situations.

“What they have to learn is, they always have another day to fly,” says Lama.

Now, its high time for the CAAN and the Nepal Government to chalk out plans to avoid similar incidents in future.

The post Nepal Air Crashes: ‘Why many happenings?’ appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

In view of increasing demand during the festive season, the state-owned Nepal Airlines is gearing up plans to offer seamless connectivity to remote locations of the country.

Towards this end, the national flag carrier has already conducted test flights to hilly regions of the country such as Talcha, Simikot, Lukla, Dolpa and Jumla, on September 25-26, 2018.

Further, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is planning another test to Jomsom on September 27, 2018.

“We are just testing the suitability of flying Y12e aircraft to the remote destinations and will soon schedule regular flights based on the results of the test flights,” Madan Kharel, Executive Chairperson of NAC.

Following the last test on September 27, 2018, the team will submit the final performance report to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) seeking approval for running regular flights, adds Kharel.

“The report to be submitted to CAAN will include all relevant details, like maximum number of passengers per flight, baggage weight per person, wind condition and other weather-related matters. Our plan is to resume flights to viable remote domestic destinations before Dashain,” Kharel noted.

Also Read:

• Nepal’s Internet Shopping Trend Kicks Off with Dashain
• Dashain Saga Sets in Across Indo-Nepal Border

The post Nepal Biggest Festival Season: Govt. Plans Flights to Remote Areas appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

In a recent move, the government has reportedly decided to engage technical experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to offer R&D support to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in its upgradation activities.

According to Deputy Director General of CAAN Rajan Pokhrel, the CAAN board has already approved the proposal and forwarded the same to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for final nod from the Ministry of Finance.

The project under proposal comes in the background of ICAO’s assistance to Nepal under its #AirSafetyFund that strives for civil aviation safety globally, and Nepal holds 25 percent contribution in the Rs. 10 million Safety Fund.

CAAN Split & Nepal Aviation’s Progress
The latest decision to engage ICAO experts comes in the background of CAAN’s split into two different wings as service provider and regulator.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has already prepared the draft Integrated Civil Aviation Bill that envisages the split process and is expecting the Cabinet’s approval for the same by October 2018.

According to Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, Joint Secretary at Tourism Ministry, the draft still requires some changes related to legal aspects as recommended by the Law Ministry. “We are preparing to send the draft to the Law Ministry again,” adds Buddhi Sagar.

Following approval, the government will hold consultations on issues pertaining to management of personnel and division of liabilities & organizational properties, to be handled by #ICAOExperts.

The proposal to split CAAN has its roots at a technical committee meeting of the European Commission held in Brussels, Belgium in January 2017, where CAAN officials and the Tourism Ministry updated the Commission about Nepal’s progress in tackling air safety issues.

Approval of the proposed bill will replace the existing Civil Aviation Act 1959 and Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act 1996.

As per the draft bill, CAAN will continue its role as a regulator controlling technical operations and the new airport and Air Navigation Services division will function as a service provider in handling security & infrastructure development, tax collection and traffic control at the airports.

The decision comes in line with the ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme that recommends split of CAAN for effective functioning of #NepalAviationSector.

Aviation Safety Report 2018
In its Aviation Safety Report 2018, CAAN reported a significant progress in the country’s aviation sector with regard to enhancement of #airsafety capability and air operation & maintenance, among other factors.

The report recorded a decline in number of air safety issues to 159 by 2017 from 192 in 2016.

“We have strictly abided by the #InternationalCivilAviation Organization (ICAO)’s #GlobalAviationSafety plan,” said Birendra Shrestha, CAAN Spokesperson citing the report.

He further added that the authority will continue its efforts till the country’s aviation sector is deemed ‘safe’.

The report also noted that #NepalAviation succeeded in resolving significant safety concern raised by ICAO after its validation mission in 2013.

“Similarly, effective implementation of #ICAOSafetyStandards and guidance have also been raised above the global average,” the report said, indicating a rise in CAAN’s performance growth over the years from 43 per cent in 2009 to 55 per cent in 2013 and 66.08 percent in 2017.

According to Shrestha, #CAAN has also unveiled a four-year aviation safety plan to continue its aviation safety performance to develop harmonized safety strategy and implementation to address fatalities and related risks.

Hope, the new changes in CAAN’s organizational structure through #ICAO assistance will add to the future progress of Nepal’s aviation sector.

The post CAAN’s New Turn for Nepal Aviation, ICAO Steps In! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

A recent update informed that the Gautama Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa is nearing its completion to become operational by early 2019.

The much-delayed airport got 50 percent of its physical infrastructure development completed by June 2018 and is awaiting the technical infrastructure part.

The finished 50 percent work covered 70 percent of the civil works and the remaining 30 percent of task involves setting up of Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Communications, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS) systems.

Encouraged at June’s progress report, the #AsianDevelopmentBank (ADB) has decided to step into the project again.

ADB was supporting the project as a key financier, but moved out in December 2017 citing slow execution from the Nepal Government’s side in meeting the set deadlines.

“The project has achieved better-than-expected result in June. ADB has been considering continuing support for the project and we are in regular discussion with them,” says Sanjiv Gautam, Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

According to Gautam, the project is currently awaiting final base laying works including that of the runway that are expected to be completed by end of July 2018.

ADB has so far provided USD 58.50 million in loans & grants followed by OPEC Fund for International Development’s (OFID) USD 15 million loan and CAAN will bear the remaining expenditure as part of counterpart funding.

The project was initially set for a December 2018 deadline after months of delay and has been finally been set to a revised operational deadline of June 2018.

The airport project is aimed at promoting Bhairahawa’s potential as a growing industry hub of Nepal and also to drive more international tourists to Lumbini, Birthplace of Lord Buddha, which is 22 km away from the Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa.

The post Aviation Update: Nepal’s New Int’l Airport Nearing Completion! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

In a recent update, the Flood Forecasting Section (FFS) of Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) stated that water level in all major rivers in the country is rapidly rising bringing it very close to the danger mark.

The bulletin issued by FFS forecasted that rivers including Narayani, tributaries of the Mahakali, Koshi and Karnali would witness a significant rise in water level and even touch the ‘red line’.

In the same way, rivers originating in the Mahabharatha and Chure ranges in the eastern region including Kankai, Khado, Raatu, Bagmati, Biring, Kamala and Gagan are likely to cross the danger level.

Pilgrims Stranded in Nepal
The rains have so far crippled more than 1,200 pilgrims at the Indo-Nepal border region and resulted in ‘seven’ causalities.

As the situation worsened over the weekend, as many as 1,500 Indian pilgrims remained stranded around the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route in Nepal after continuous rains triggered landslides at several places across the country including this region.

According to an official statement by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, around 525 Indian pilgrims are stuck in Simikot, about 550 in Hilsa and an additional 500 people around the Tibet region.

As many as 290 persons from the Indian State of Karnataka have also been identified among other pilgrims.

The pilgrimage that drew an overwhelming number of devotees to the site has been put on halt for two days due to non-stop rains in areas including Sindhuli, Kailkali, Nuwakot, Syangia, Parsa, Banke, Nawalparasi and Dang along the Indo-Nepal border.

The Embassy asked tour operators to try to retain pilgrims close to the Tibetian side only as the civic and medical facilities were not enough in the Nepal side. It has additionally asked operators to focus on clearing up the situation in Hilsa which is the most sensitive area in terms of infrastructure.

The Mission is also trying to bring Nepal army choppers into the picture owing to its operating skills in handling difficult terrain.

Immediate evacuation is not advisable right now as the weather does not support any related activity.

Domestic Flight Operators Stand Still
Meanwhile, internal air travel took a hit throughout July 1, 2018 when home-bound airline companies couldn’t operate flights from Pokhara, Lukla and Bhairahawa regions due to the incessant rains.

According to the Tribhuvan International Airport spokesperson Prem Nath Thakur, a major number of flights scheduled for operation between Pokhara, Lukla and Bhairahawa were cancelled.

“Visibility in the area had gone down to 600. When the visibility goes below 1,000, flights are generally cancelled. Airline companies are not allowed to conduct flights when visibility is poor,”  

                – Tek Raj Pokhrel, Chief, CAAN Bhairahawa

According to Thakur, there are about 20 flights that fly to Lukla, 18-18 to Pokhara sector and 9-10 to Bhairahawa on a daily basis, despite it being off-season for tourists.

Updates at a Glance:
While various parts of the country have been inundated due to rain, here are some important updates regarding relief measures and support:

• As per the FFS forecast, the eastern and central regions will witness average rainfall, some parts of the eastern range will experience average to high rainfall while some other parts of the country may receive average rainfall today. Overall the water level in all major rivers will gradually begin to see a decline.
• The Indian Embassy at Kathmandu says that the pilgrims are being taken care of and given proper medical attention. Arrangements are being made to facilitate food and water
• It has also developed multiple helplines for pilgrims and their family members to connect with each other. Following are the helpline numbers: +977-9851107006,+977-9851155007,+977-9851107021, +977-9818832398

Hope for a Sunny Sky
We hope that the Nepal Government with help from police, army, tour and airline operators will be able to rescue more people and bring the situation across the country under control. With so many measures already in place we are sure that the country will be able to tackle the situation in future too.

Also Read: NepalFloods2017: One of the Worst Humanitarian Crises in Years: IFRC

The post Nepal Floods 2018: Rains Topple Life at Nepal, 1200 Pilgrims Stranded appeared first on Nepali Sansar.