Kathmandu: The International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) resumed discussions on the Nepal Air Services Authority Bill-2081 BS today. Lawmakers advocating for amendments highlighted the need for a clear policy to ensure safe, effective, and reliable air services.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Hitraj Pandey urged that the Civil Aviation Authority Bill and the Nepal Air Services Bill be advanced concurrently, as they are closely interlinked. He pointed out that the existing Bill lacks emphasis on developing the necessary workforce and domestic training operations, which are crucial for improving air service quality. Pandey proposed an amendment to the provision designating the secretary as the head of the Authority’s Board, suggesting that the line minister should assume this role for more effective management and organization.
Yogesh Bhattarai raised concerns about the increasing number of air crashes in Nepal, noting the presence of 55 airports, not all of which are currently operational. He emphasized the importance of strategic planning in determining the future need for airports and advocated for upgrading and modernizing existing facilities instead of constructing new ones. Bhattarai, a former tourism minister, also identified human error and adverse weather as significant factors in air crashes and called for enhanced meteorological forecasting systems.
Sumana Shrestha highlighted the necessity for the Bill to clearly define provisions for private sector investment in aviation. She also recommended the inclusion of a clause for establishing an independent investigative unit to handle air crash incidents. Similarly, Ramkrishna Yadav called for a comprehensive structural reform of the air services sector.