Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The European Union has continued its ban on airlines registered in Nepal from flying into its airspace.
The EU Air Safety List, which comprises airlines subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, was updated on Thursday. This update includes all 20 carriers registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
“The update also reflects the decision to maintain the ban on air carriers certified in Nepal, considering continued safety concerns identified during an assessment visit to Nepal on September 11-15,” the EU stated in a release. “However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s proactive engagement and ongoing efforts to enhance its safety oversight capacity were duly acknowledged during the EU Air Safety Committee meeting.”
The EU updates the list every six months.
The EU’s new decision means that 101 airlines certified in 25 states, including Nepal, remain banned from European airspace “due to inadequate safety oversight by the aviation authorities.”
Similarly, 22 airlines certified in Russia and six individual airlines from other states, based on serious safety deficiencies identified—Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), Blue Wing Airlines (Suriname), Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Fly Baghdad (Iraq), and Iraqi Airways (Iraq)—have also been included in the list.
According to the EU, the fresh update is based on the unanimous opinion of Member State aviation safety experts who met in Brussels on November 14-16, 2023, under the auspices of the EU Air Safety Committee. The European Parliament’s Transport Committee also supports the update, as per the statement. “Decisions under the EU Air Safety List are based on international safety standards, notably the standards decreed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” it added.
