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The government of Nepal has decided to grant approval for concluding a formal bilateral air services agreement with Saud...
20/08/2026

The government of Nepal has decided to grant approval for concluding a formal bilateral air services agreement with Saudi Arabia. The decision was finalized during a cabinet meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. This agreement is expected to further strengthen aviation ties, improve connectivity, and boost economic and tourism cooperation between the two nations.

​In addition to the aviation pact, the cabinet accepted a grant assistance of approximately NPR 2.73 billion offered by the Government of Japan. The funds will be utilized to implement a crucial air traffic control improvement project at the Tribhuvan International Airport to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that flight attendants and pilots face the highest risk of ...
19/08/2026

A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that flight attendants and pilots face the highest risk of dying from radiation-linked cancers among more than 500 occupations analyzed. By examining over 12 million death certificates, researchers determined that flight attendants have approximately 50% higher odds and pilots 36% higher odds of dying from these specific cancers compared to the general working population. The study highlights that approximately 6.9% of deaths among flight attendants and 6.7% among pilots were attributed to radiation-related illnesses, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and various organ-specific cancers, including those of the breast, thyroid, and central nervous system.

The findings suggest that the increased mortality is largely driven by occupational exposure to cosmic radiation, which is significantly higher at high altitudes where these professionals spend much of their time. Experts noted that because these groups did not show higher-than-average death rates for non-radiation-linked cancers, the evidence points toward environmental workplace factors rather than lifestyle or socioeconomic variables. Despite the elevated risk, the authors highlighted a lack of federal oversight, noting that the Federal Aviation Administration does not currently mandate radiation monitoring or set specific dose limits for aircrews.

In response to the report, labor leaders and medical experts are calling for greater awareness and proactive health measures. Union representatives emphasized that flight crews remain largely uneducated about these risks, while independent experts suggest that medical providers should maintain a "heightened index of suspicion" for cancer in these patients. Recommended precautionary measures for aviation workers include more frequent health screenings, such as annual skin exams and earlier or more frequent mammograms for women, as the industry continues to grapple with the long-term health implications of high-altitude work.
Info: ABC News

A newly constructed heliport in Nalinchok, Bhaktapur, which cost approximately 150 million rupees, is currently sitting ...
16/08/2026

A newly constructed heliport in Nalinchok, Bhaktapur, which cost approximately 150 million rupees, is currently sitting empty and unused. Built with the intention of reducing air traffic at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, the facility was officially inaugurated and even underwent test flights last year. However, it was quickly abandoned after pilots refused to use it, citing significant safety concerns.

The primary reasons for the shutdown are technical inadequacies. Pilots reported that the facility lacks essential aviation safety standards, proper fuel infrastructure, and a functioning air traffic control system. Furthermore, experts have labeled the site as technically dangerous due to the presence of high-voltage power lines nearby and the density of the surrounding residential area. A large group of pilots from multiple helicopter companies formally voiced these risks, declaring the location unsafe for regular operations.

The project is now at the center of a major legal controversy. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case in a special court against several officials including a former Director General alleging that the heliport was built without proper environmental impact assessments or feasibility studies. As a result of this ongoing legal battle and the unresolved safety issues, this multi-million rupee national infrastructure project remains completely deserted.
Info: Setopati

Nepal Airlines Corporation has initiated base training flights for its newly appointed co-pilots at the Gautam Buddha In...
14/08/2026

Nepal Airlines Corporation has initiated base training flights for its newly appointed co-pilots at the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa. According to a press statement released by airport spokesperson Er. Kumar Sujakhu on Wednesday, the training program is being conducted under the directive of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The initiative marks a strategic step toward establishing an operational base for the national flag carrier's aircraft at the regional hub.

During the program scheduled to run until August 19 (Bhadra 3), the co-pilots will undergo practical runway takeoff and landing exercises utilizing the Airbus A320 aircraft. Establishing operational bases in major regional airports allows airlines to streamline their flight schedules, enhance regular connectivity, and maintain cost-effective services.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued a strict directive requiring all domestic airline companies to i...
13/08/2026

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued a strict directive requiring all domestic airline companies to increase their fleet size to a minimum of five aircraft within the next two and a half years. This mandate, rooted in a February 2024 amendment to the Airlines Operators Certificate Requirement (AOCR), aims to ensure that all operators meet the regulatory threshold by February 2029. While current regulations require a minimum of three aircraft to maintain an operating certificate, many companies have failed to meet even this lower requirement, prompting the regulator to enforce stricter compliance.

To facilitate this transition, the aviation authority has offered airlines a choice: increase capital to acquire more aircraft or opt for mergers with other operators. CAAN officials emphasized that operating with a single aircraft or helicopter poses significant safety risks, particularly during emergencies when backup support is unavailable. Furthermore, the regulator noted that under-capitalized airlines frequently struggle with financial instability, which can lead to delayed payments for pilots and technicians, ultimately compromising aviation safety standards.

Airline operators are now preparing to meet these requirements, with some companies already considering capital increases through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or strategic mergers to ensure they remain operational under the new guidelines. Pratajung Pandey, president of the Airline Operators Association, stated that the industry is working on action plans to comply with the directive. The regulator has warned that failure to meet the required fleet size by the deadline will result in strict enforcement actions, as CAAN aims to consolidate smaller, weaker companies into more robust and resilient aviation entities.
Info: Clickmandu

Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-based private international carrier, has announced plans to significantly expand its flight n...
12/08/2026

Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-based private international carrier, has announced plans to significantly expand its flight network by launching regular services to Shanghai, China, and Bangkok, Thailand. According to Vice President Vijay Shrestha, the airline will begin its Kathmandu-Shanghai route on September 7 (Bhadra 22), with two weekly flights scheduled. As part of the flight plan, the return leg from Shanghai to Kathmandu will include a stopover in Kunming, China. Additionally, the airline intends to commence three weekly flights from Kathmandu to Bangkok starting October 27 (Kartik 10).

The decision to expand these routes comes as Nepal experiences a notable resurgence in Chinese tourist arrivals, which have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Nepal Tourism Board indicates that tourist arrivals from China in July 2026 grew by 8.65% compared to the same period in 2019, and rose by 61% compared to July 2025. With the peak tourist and festival season approaching, the airline is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the increasing travel demand between the two nations.

Currently, Himalaya Airlines operates flights to Lhasa and Shenzhen in China, alongside services to various destinations in the Middle East and Malaysia, including Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, and Dubai. Established in 2014 as a joint venture between Tibet Civil Aviation Development and Investment Company and Nepal’s Yeti World Investment Pvt. Ltd., the airline is now looking to restore its footprint in the Chinese market, where it previously served five destinations before the COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced operations.
Info: Bizness News

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is facing serious allegations of gender discrimination and procedural impropriety after...
11/08/2026

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is facing serious allegations of gender discrimination and procedural impropriety after removing two of its most senior cabin crew members, Prajita Karki and Srijana KC, from flight duties. Both Karki and KC had previously challenged their forced retirements in the Labor Court, which ruled in their favor and ordered their reinstatement, allowing them to resume regular duties.

Despite these legal reinstatements and the absence of a written Supreme Court judgment on a broader writ filed by 124 cabin crew members against the discriminatory policy, NAC’s operations department led by Captain Subhas Rijal verbally ordered them to be excluded from flight assignments who cited age limit regulations despite the cabin crew members having previously received a reinstatement order from the Labor Court. Weekly rosters from late July clearly show the veteran flight attendants listed as "off," prompting widespread concern over administrative overreach and gender bias within the national flag carrier's management.

The controversy centers on the corporation’s decision to remove the staff members from the weekly flight roster before the full text of a recent Supreme Court verdict was released. Critics argue that the management’s move to label their earlier petition as "dismissed" and immediately remove them of their responsibilities is premature and reflects a disregard for due process. The incident has sparked concerns regarding the treatment of female employees within the state-owned airline.

Legal and industry observers are closely monitoring the situation as it highlights potential institutional bias within the national flag carrier. By enforcing these restrictions without the formal documentation of the court’s ruling, the corporation’s leadership faces backlash for allegedly prioritizing discriminatory internal policies over existing labor protections and judicial oversight.
Info: onlinekhabar.com

Passengers at the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) continue to endure significant hardships an...
10/08/2026

Passengers at the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) continue to endure significant hardships and long queues while entering the building, as authorities keep only one of the two main entrance gates open despite heavy commuter crowds. Even when congestion peaks and lines stretch significantly, security personnel routinely refuse to open the second available gate, forcing travelers to wait for extended periods just to gain entry to the airport.

While the exact reason behind restricting access to a single entrance remains unclear, the recurring bottleneck has drawn widespread frustration from travelers who find the inefficiency baffling. Expressing his annoyance, one stranded passenger remarked, "Perhaps airport security personnel have grown accustomed to watching passengers stand in long lines, which is why they simply don't bother opening the other gate."
Info: Nepal Press

Nepal Oil Corporation’s recent decision to raise domestic aviation turbine fuel prices by NPR 20 per liter, effective Mo...
04/08/2026

Nepal Oil Corporation’s recent decision to raise domestic aviation turbine fuel prices by NPR 20 per liter, effective Monday, has prompted domestic airlines to correspondingly increase fuel surcharges on airfares. Because fuel costs are directly integrated into ticket prices, fluctuations by the oil monopoly are automatically passed on to passengers. Consequently, travelers flying from Monday onward are required to pay the revised, higher rates.

The adjustments vary by destination, with the longest domestic route from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi recording the highest surcharge increase of NPR 880. Conversely, the shorter route to Simara saw a minimal increase of NPR 183. This adjustment follows a previous reduction in ticket prices on June 30, when airlines lowered fares after a NPR 40 drop in fuel prices.

Other major domestic routes from Kathmandu have also experienced varying hikes in fuel surcharges, including Mountain flights (NPR 688), Surkhet (NPR 690), Nepalgunj (NPR 654), and Bhadrapur (NPR 560). Additional increases affect destinations such as Biratnagar (NPR 478), Rajbiraj (NPR 405), Bhairahawa (NPR 410), Tumlingtar (NPR 368), Pokhara (NPR 314), Janakpur (NPR 258), and Bharatpur (NPR 212), alongside other urban and regional airports across the country.
Info: Clickmandu

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has registered the proposed "Domestic Airline Liability Act, 2083" ...
02/08/2026

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has registered the proposed "Domestic Airline Liability Act, 2083" in the Federal Parliament, aiming to make domestic air travel safer, more reliable, and passenger-friendly. The new legislation legally binds airlines to strict accountability for flight delays, cancellations, accidents, lost or damaged luggage, and cargo issues, while introducing mandatory ticket transparency where airfares, airport service charges, and government taxes must be listed separately. In the event of a fatal accident, the proposed law significantly increases compensation for the victim's legal heirs from the previous outdated limit of $20,000 under the Warsaw Convention and Hague Protocol to $100,000 in equivalent Nepali rupees. Additionally, airlines must immediately provide 500,000 rupees for funeral rites upon handing over a body, cover all medical expenses for injured passengers or third parties, and face strict penalties ranging from 10,000 to 2.5 million rupees for non-compliance.

Under the proposed framework, airlines must inform passengers at least three hours prior if a flight is canceled, delayed, or suspended due to company-related faults, providing designated facilities and compensation or facing compensation claims for affected travel. Passengers can claim up to $500 for lost or damaged checked baggage at a rate of $20 per kilogram, alongside compensation for hand-carry items and cargo losses, provided claims are filed within 30 days for baggage or delays and 90 days for death or dismemberment. Airlines are also mandated to secure comprehensive insurance covering passengers, cargo, third parties, war, and terrorist activities, failing which regulators can suspend flights and revoke Air Operator Certificates (AOC). However, the legislation exempts airlines from paying compensation if flights are disrupted due to bad weather, natural disasters, air traffic management, or circumstances entirely beyond the company's control.
Info: Setopati

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