Kathmandu. Two bills to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) have been registered in the House of Representatives. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Poudel (Ganesh) has registered the bills in the parliament today.

Minister Poudel has registered the Nepal Air Service Authority Bill, 2083 and the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, 2083 in the House of Representatives. After the passage of these bills, the way will be opened for the disintegration of the authority.

Minister Poudel said that separate bills have been registered to develop and expand Nepal’s civil aviation service in line with international standards and to make the civil aviation service safe, regular, standard, reliable and accessible through effective regulation by preventing illegal interference.

Minister Poudel said that after the promulgation of the new act, the existing conflict of interest would end after the regulatory and service-providing works in the sensitive areas like air transport are related to the safety of air passengers. He also said that the air navigation service and airport operation service could be managed more effectively as per the international practice.

Minister Poudel said, “The air navigation service, airport operation service and aviation training institution would be more secure by making the regulatory work more autonomous and strong.” ”

It will also help address the aviation safety concerns of ICAO and the European Union regarding Nepal’s civil aviation. Minister Poudel also believes that the quality of service will be enhanced by conducting the ongoing works in the civil aviation sector in a specialized manner.

Minister Poudel said that the quality of flight and airport operation will be enhanced as the employees will work more efficiently due to the efficiency and professionalism in service delivery. He also said that the performance of the responsibilities will be fast and systematic as the organization will be agile and efficient. Minister Poudel said that other countries and related organizations will positively evaluate Nepal’s airport and air navigation infrastructure as per the international standards.

The safety oversight audit conducted in Nepal under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program of the International Civil Aviation Organization held in May 2009 had pointed out the dual role of the regulatory authority and the service provider.

After that, the same issue was repeated in the audits of 2013 and 2017. The last audit conducted in 2022 had also recommended that high priority should be given to the work of clearly separating the service provider and regulatory nature of the existing authority. In addition, Nepal has been informing that institutional reforms have been initiated in the international forums related to civil aviation (ICAO Conference, ICAO DGCA Conference) to conduct the regulatory and service delivery functions through separate organizations.

After the passage of the Air Services Authority of Nepal Bill, 2083, the Air Services Authority of Nepal will be established. This Act will come into effect from the 91st day of the date of certification by the President. The functions, duties and powers of the Authority include Airport Infrastructure Development and Professional Services, Air Navigation and Technical Services, Aviation Safety and Risk Management, Coordination and Institutional Management with Regulatory Bodies.

Similarly, the functions, duties and authority of the Civil Aviation Authority include certification and license management, aircraft registration and personal license, standards determination and regulation, security supervision, international responsibility and corporate coordination.