KATHMANDU, May 27: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Prem Bahadur Ale, has requested the European Ambassador to Nepal, Nona Deprez, to lift the ban placed on Nepal from EU's safety list.
A discussion was held between Minister Ale and Ambassador Deprez on the issue at the ministry on Wednesday, according to the Minister's Personal Secretary Manoj Adhikari.
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Minister Ale reminded the EU Ambassador that Nepal's aviation sector was safe now. He further said that Nepal's score was 70.1 percent on implementation of safety on eight categories set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which Minister Ale argued was above the average.
"Nepali aviation is safe as per ICAO's indicators. Now, the EU is requested to lift the ban on Nepal's aviation," he said.
The EU had blacklisted Nepal's aviation sector for poor air safety eight years ago. However, the ICAO has already lifted the ban on Nepal with its improved safety indicators. The EU had demanded further qualification and training of Nepali pilots to meet international standards.
On the occasion, Director General at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Engineer Pradip Kumar Adhikari, informed the Ambassador that Nepal had managed training and qualification of pilots in line with international criteria.
Currently, Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air and Himalaya Airlines are ready for conducting international flight and waiting for the EU's nod.
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