Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has clarified that there are no restrictions on commercial helicopter operations in the Everest region.
Issuing a notice on Friday, CAAN said all commercial helicopter operations in the area will continue as usual until an official decision is made by the federal government or CAAN.
“The attention of the CAAN has been drawn to a recent letter issued by the Sagarmatha National Park Office under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, declaring a complete ban on commercial helicopter flights in Sagarmatha National Park and surrounding areas starting January 1, citing environmental protection, noise pollution control, and local economic management,” CAAN said in the notice. “Nepal’s airspace falls exclusively under federal jurisdiction, as per Schedule-5 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, and related aviation laws, including the Civil Aviation Authority Act, 1996. The national park office’s decision to impose such restrictions lacks legal authority and justification.”
Earlier on December 11, the national park office sent a circular to helicopter companies, imposing a ban on commercial helicopter flights within the core area and buffer zone of the national from January 1, citing significant threats to the conservation of forests, wildlife, and the overall environment.
“A joint meeting of the Sagarmatha National Park Office, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone Management Committee, and other local stakeholders held on Tuesday decided to ban commercial helicopter flights in the region,” the circular read.
Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), an industry lobby of private airlines operating in the country, on Friday directed helicopter companies to operate flights as usual. In a statement on Thursday, AOAN said helicopter companies will not be compelled to abide by the decision taken by the Sagarmatha National Park Office and other local groups, arguing that they had overstepped their jurisdiction.
“We want to make it clear that no other Acts, except for Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Act, 1996 and Civil Aviation Act, 2015, will be attracted to flights take-off, landing, and aviation security,” AOAN said in the statement.
Helicopter companies won’t stop commercial flights to Everest region: AOAN
