Falgunanda Sukilumba Airport ready for operation, by Bhim Chapagain (rep 15/04/2021)

CNI urges EU to remove Nepal from its air safety list (ht 09/04/2021)

Smog disrupts domestic and international air services (rep 07/04/2021), Heavy air pollution affects flights (ht 08/04/2021)

Nepal Airlines to lease out grounded Chinese planes : The six aircraft were pulled out of service nearly a year ago due to mounting losses, by Sangam Prasain (kp 05/04/2021)

NTA to allow internet service on international flights (ht 02/0472021)

TIA suspends regular flight operation due to poor visibility (kh 26/03/2021), Domestic and Int’l flight services hit due to poor visibility (kh 27/03/2021), Air passengers stranded at TIA (kh 27/03/2021), Flights resume at TIA (kh 28/03/2021)

Pokhara airport project gets nod to flatten hill near runway : Nepal’s third international airport could be ready for operation by the beginning of 2022, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 23/03/2021)

More flights between Nepalgunj and Pokhara (ht 23/03/2021)

Simrik Air reverts its name to Guna Airlines (ht 23/03/2021)

NAC in final stage of selling its Boeing 757-200 aircraft to American company, by Minraj Bhandari (rep 21/03/2021)

Airline operators raise airfare again (ht 20/03/2021)

Surkhet airport expansion project  moves ahead after design change : The plan had stalled after local residents launched a protest against land acquisition, by Chandani Kathayat (kp 18/03/2021)

Buddha Air to fly on Janakpur-Ayodhya route (rep 04/03/2021)

TIA upgradation doesn’t fly with tour operators, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 02/03/2021)

Pilots grounded for not reporting aircraft malfunction (ht 01/03/2021)

Gautam Buddha airport likely to be readied in three months (rep 21/02/2021)

Airlines operators hike airfare (ht 20/02/2021)

Technicians to start fitting equipment at Bhairahawa airport next week : Stalled installation of communication, navigation and surveillance, air traffic management and meteorological equipment will now resume, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/02/2021)

International passengers' movement at TIA gradually increasing (ht 17/02/2021)

More turbulence for Nepal’s aviation sector as its audit unlikely even in 2022 : Crucial bills to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, a key to the reform of the sector, are in limbo. The audit was originally scheduled for 2019 but continued being deferred, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/02/2021)

Mahendranagar airport to resume operations (ht 16/02/2021)

Himalaya Airlines resumes UAE flights (kh 15/02/2021), Himalaya Airlines to operate three flights a week to Dubai (rep 16/02/2021)

Pilot's death flies in the face of Nepal Aviation safety claims : His tests pointed to impending heart attack, by Rajan Pokharel (ht 09/02/2021)

Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority presses airline companies for due clearance (ht 09/02/2021)

Nepal’s civil aviation authority seeks ordinance route to pass two crucial bills : Without the two laws, Nepal will remain on the European Union blacklist, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/02/2021) [Mr Oli has to be asked why this was not done long ago through legislation passed by parliament, as is customary in a democracy. Vested interests or incompetence?]

Buddha Air to conduct over 100 flights a day (kh 08/02/2021)

Government backs plan to build Nijgadh airport : The $3.45 billion airport project in Bara, planned to be funded with Nepal’s own resources, has been stuck in the planning stage for decades, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/02/2021)

Biman Bangladesh to resume flights to Kathmandu from February 18 (rep 31/01/2021)

Himalaya Airlines and Yeti Airlines join hands for network integration (rep 28/01/2021)

Domestic airlines struggle to remain  in the air by discounting fares : Carriers are receiving around 7,000 passengers daily, down from 8,735 before the pandemic, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/01/2021)

Tribhuvan International Airport sees lowest passenger traffic since 2003 : 1.10 million international flyers passed through Kathmandu in 2020, down 73 percent from the previous year, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/01/2021)

Himalaya Airlines carries out test flight to Lhasa (rep 19/01/2021)

NAC conducting maiden flight to Macau (kh 19/01/2021)

Biratnagar airport to get Rs15-billion facelift : The runway will be lengthened to 2,500 metres, enabling it to handle jets like the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/01/2021)

Domestic flights grounded due to thick fogs across country (kh 15/01/2021)

Tourism Ministry begins search for a partner to run Bhairahawa airport : The facility is envisaged to become the gateway to the international pilgrimage destination of Lumbini, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/01/2021)

NAC acts against staff for letting COVID patient fly (ht 06/01/2021)

CAAN issues ultimatum to airlines : Tells them to follow health safety measures or face flight suspension (ht 05/01/2021)

Dense fogs hit flight services at three Tarai-based airports (kh 05/01/2021)

Ilam’s Airport To Complete In Three Months, by Kokila Dhakal (rn 04/01/2021)

Turbulence remains but clearer skies ahead : Nepal’s aviation industry lost more than Rs 23 billion because of pandemic, says CAAN (ht 01/01/2021)

Surkhet airport expansion faces land acquisition hurdle : Plans are to lengthen the runway to 1,555 metres to accommodate bigger planes but people say they are tired of vacating land repeatedly for the airport , by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp 30/12/2020)

Chinese workers arrive for remaining work of PIA (ht 29/12/2020)

With Gulf countries banning commercial flights, labour migration sector stares at uncertaintyThe emergence of a new strain of coronavirus has forced many countries to once again close their borders, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/12/2020)

MoCTCA achieves decent progress in domestic airport works (ht 23/12/2020)

NAC incurs monthly loss of Rs 10 million from grounded Chinese aircrafts (rep 23/12/2020)

EU decides to continue ban on Nepali airlines (rep 22/12/2020)

Nepal bars entry of passengers from UK after new coronavirus strain (kh 22/12/2020)

How a Buddha Air plane flew the wrong way and landed 255 kilometres awayGround staff changed the flight number but did not brief the pilots who, in turn, failed to check the passenger manifest and flew, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 20/12/2020)

Kathmandu-Delhi flights resume without need for quarantine : Passengers need negative virus test done less than 72 hours before departure, by Sangam Prasain >(kp 18/12/2020)

NAC gets permission for ground handling at Gautam Buddha, Pokhara airports (rep 17/12/2020)

Nepal Airlines seeks quarantine exemption for Nepalis : Flights between Nepal, India are expected to begin December 17, pending approvals from the airport authorities of both countries, under air bubble scheme, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/12/2020) [???]

Domestic And International Flights Affected Owing To Thick Fog In Kathmandu (rn 11/12/2020)

Europeans not impressed by Nepal’s efforts to improve aviation safety yet : Breaking up the civil aviation authority is a prerequisite to getting the country removed  from the European Union’s Air blacklist, which runs into the eighth straight year, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/12/2020)

NAC's Kathmandu-Delhi bubble flight likely to start Dec 16 (ht 08/12/2020)

COVID-19 impacts Nepal’s air travel : Passenger numbers down 65pc in domestic, 72pc in global sector (ht 08/12/2020)

EU bats for adoption of new aviation rules (ht 07/12/2020)

Tourism Minister asks contractor to complete Gautam Buddha Airport in 25 days (rep 06/12/2020)

Buddha Air plans to fly to remote areas could be a game changer in domestic aviation, experts sayDespite the high risks, short take-off and landing flights to remote mountain airfields across the country are an untapped market with more people flying as incomes rise, by Sangam Prasain (kp kp 05/12/2020)

Hong Kong bans NAC flights for the fourth time (ht 05/12/2020)

Fed up of losses, Nepal Airlines comes up with four options to get rid of six Chinese aircraft : Grounded due to technical issues and lack of manpower and spares, they have made losses of over Rs2 billion, the state-owned carrier said, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/12/2020)

Domestic airlines resume Mt Everest sightseeing flights after eight months (kp 30/11/2020), Mountain flights resume with various offers (ht 30/11/2020)

‘Chandragadi airport to be upgraded as per new DPR’ (ht 29/11/2020)

Bird darts at Kailash Air chopper, force landing saves lives (kh 29/11/2020)

10 MW solar plant to be installed at Gautam Buddha Airport (rep 27/11/2020), Plan to run Bhairahawa international airport entirely on solar power gathers momentum : The solar plant is estimated to cost nearly $10 million, or $1 million per megawatt, and will take around six months to complete, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/11/2020)

Govt decides to resume flights to India and Bangladesh (ht 27/11/2020)

EU’s ban on Nepali aviation sector to be lifted soon: Minister Bhattarai (kh 27/11/2020)

Investment modality to be prepared for Nijgadh Airport (kh 27/11/2020)

Tourism Ministry revives its plan to  join India’s air bubble arrangement : There have been no commercial flights between the two neighbouring countries since March, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/11/2020)

CCMC decides to resume flights to all countries (kh 24/11/23020)

Pilot killed, passenger injured in paragliding tragedy in Pokhara, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 23/11/2020)

Nepal Airlines halts flights to Phaplu; passengers, transport of letters affected (ht 20/11/2020)

Purchase of Chinese aircraft: Throwing money down the drain : Chinese officials pressurizing NAC to operate aircraft irrespective of financial loss, by Gajendra Basnet (kh 20/11/2020)

Nepal Airlines to accept reports issued by government labs only : Move follows false negative passengers causing the carrier to be banned at foreign airports (kp 19/11/2020)

The story of an airport and what connectivity can achieve : Dhangadhi airport, upgraded at the initiative of the people, has not only boosted in economic growth but also helped connect the plains and the mountains in the region, by Arjun Shahi (kp 15/11/2020)

NAC to accept PCR report only from govt labs (kh 14/11/2020)

Hong Kong bans  Nepal Airlines flights  for the third time : The carrier had been barred from entering Hong Kong after 12 passengers tested positive for Covid-19 (kp 12/11/2020)

Domestic flights show encouraging signs, international ones lag behind (kh 10/11/2020)

Bhairahawa airport headed for list of longest running construction projects : Thai contractor reluctant to begin work fearing safety of workers as virus caseload in Nepal is on the rise, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/11/2020)

Passenger flow increases at Simkot airport (rep 05/11/2020)

Civil Aviation Authority raises questions about the credibility of virus testing labs : Nepal Airlines has been banned twice after passengers carrying negative reports tested positive at destination airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 04/11/2020), Turbulence ahead : Nepal Airlines appearing on Covid-19 high-risk lists will ruin the carrier’s reputation (kp) [It is hardly imaginable that the reputation of Nepal Airlines could be further damaged!]

Nepal’s baffling ban on India flights : Irrational and bizarre restrictions on foreigners and Delhi flights hurt travellers (nt 30/10/2020)

Civil aviation body proposes extra levy to fund provincial air connectivity scheme : The Human Rights Commission and parliamentary committees have, on different occasions, directed the government  to provide easy and affordable flight services to people in remote areas to fulfil its social obligation, by Sangam Prasain ( 19/10/2020)

Dumping site poses risk to under-construction Pokhara Int’l Airport (kh 18/10/2020)

Simrik allowed to operate rescue flights for COVID-19 patients (ht 14/10/2020)

Regular flights to hilly districts of Sudurpaschim from today (kh 13/10/2020)

Three airports in Sudur Pashchim to resume operation (rep 12/10/2020)

With a new managing director, Nepal Airlines looks set to fly into turbulence : The appointment, when there is already an executive chairman, brings a sense of déjà vu when dual power centres brought the flag carrier to a standstill in the past, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/10/2020)

Nepal, India discuss opening new air routes (ht 10/10/2020)

Nepalis showing no interest in Dashain flight ticket bookings, by Sunita Karki (ae 09/10/2020)

Asian Development Bank to give $150 million for airport improvement works : $60 million will be spent on building an international terminal building at Gautam Buddha International Airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/10/2020)

Hong Kong suspends Nepal Airlines flights for two weeks: Five passengers from Nepal tested positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong on October 3 (ht 07/10/2020), Who is to blame? Regardless of who is at fault, damage has been done, and the airline is having to bear the brunt of it (ht 08/10/2020)

Multi-billion-dollar Nijgadh Airport project hangs in the balance : Amid reports that the contracted Swiss company is ‘unofficially out’, officials say next Investment Board meeting chaired by Oli will decide how the project should move ahead, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/0/2020)

Biratnagar airport to be upgraded to international standard (ht 06/10/2020)

Civil aviation authority paints grim picture of aviation sector : Says it might take four years for the industry to revive from the coronavirus crisis (ht 05/10/2020)

Domestic airlines face missing Dashain travel bonanza over lockdown fears : Domestic carriers have been attempting to entice wary travellers with discounts but bookings have remained sluggish, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/10/2020)

Yeti Airlines announces Simara flights from October 7 (ht 03/10/2020)

EU to develop technical assistance project for CAAN to support aviation safety oversight in Nepal; Ban on Nepali airlines in the EU skies remains in place (rep 03/10/2020)

More passengers coming in than going out of Kathmandu (ht 02/10/2020)

71 domestic flights to be operated each day in October (rep 01/10/2020)

Domestic pilots draw more salary than foreign counterparts: NAC (kh 01/10/2020)

Aviation mafia eyeing NAC’s ground handling income (rep 29/09/2020)

Domestic flights see 90 percent occupancy (kh 29/09/2020)

Turkish Airlines to resume three weekly flight in October (kh 27/09/2020)

Himalaya Airlines receives self ground-handling licence (ht 26/09/2020), Tourism minister bars self-ground handling facility to Himalaya Airlines (kh 27/09/2020)

A tale of two transports : Airline operators cheer, public vehicle entrepreneurs glum as services resume, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 26/09/2020)

Zurich Airport International opts out of Nijgad : Still, government pushes a ghost airport so it can clear-cut valuable hardwood forest, by Kashish Das Shrestha (nt 25/09/2020)

Covid-19 pushes Gautam Buddha Airport project further behind schedule : A revised deadline was set for December but it’s likely to take at least five to six months more as the contractor is not ready to send technicians amid virus fears, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 23/09/2020)

Nepalis waiting to come back home elated to hear about flights resumption, by Yogendra Yogi (kh 23/09/2020)

Nearly collapsed domestic airlines set to take to the skies again after six months : The festival season may provide respite for carriers, but with reduced incomes of people and no signs of the pandemic abetting soon, operators are worried about their survival, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/09/2020)

Pokhara Airport receives first passenger flight after a hiatus of six months, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 21/09/2020)

Negative PCR report compulsory to fly to Lukla (ht 21/09/2020)

NAC to fly to 10 domestic destinations ( rep 21/09/2020)

Airlines allowed to operate flights with full occupancy (ht 19/09/2020)

Airlines operators take issues  with government over its move  to allow them to fly half empty, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/09/2020)

No more folly at Nijgadh : The consequences of considering the environment as an enemy of development will be at our own peril (kp 17/09/2020)

Decision to prepare ‘updated’ master plan for Nijgadh airport meets with criticism : A detailed feasibility study a South Korean firm prepared in 2011 is good enough  and there is no need to prepare a new plan at this time, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/09/2020)

Domestic flights from tomorrow in Nepal : Not just to hilly, mountainous regions, but to all destinations (ht 16/09/2020)

Bookings for domestic flights to start from Thursday : Authorities undecided on destinations (kh 15/09/2020)

Domestic flights, long-haul buses to restart next weekCabinet discusses allowing in foreign tourists but no decision was made, according to a minister, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 15/09/2020)

NAC’s negligence puts lives at risk (ht 15/09/2020)

Impressive Progress Made In Construction Work Of Pokhara Regional International Airport Despite COVID-19 Lockdown, by Tara Chapagain (rn 11/09/2020)

Gautam Buddha Airport completes 92 percent physical construction (kh 11/09/2020)

Domestic flights unlikely from Sept 15 : Suspension likely to be extended for another 15 days as virus spreads (ht 11/09/2020)

Investment Board told to confirm final investment decision on Nijgadh airport : Winning bidder Zurich Airport was named concessionaire in September last year to develop the $3.45 billion airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/09/2020)

Nepal Airlines plans to buy 5 aircraft for domestic flights (kh 10/09/2020) [Which domestic flights?]

Airlines oppose plan to scrap two-tier fare structure : Current policy makes foreigners pay higher fares than locals for the same flight and Nepali carriers are not willing  to change it and lose the extra revenue, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/09/2020)

Airlines ignoring orders not to board  passengers without PCR test report : Carriers violating the rule have to pay the hotel quarantine charges of all passengers, according to a cabinet decision, by Sangam Prasain (kp 04/09/2020)

Government directs Air Arabia to refund passengers (ht 03/09/2020)

Foreign int’l airlines required to charge same airfare as Nepali int’l airlines (rep 03/09/2020) [????]

Regular International Flights Resume After Five-Month-Long Suspension (rn 01/09/2020)

Govt To Ink Air Transport Deals With 3 Countries (rn 31/08/2020), MoCTCA to sign ASA with three more countries (ht 31/08/2020)

Operation of long-haul vehicles, domestic flights to remain suspended till September 16 (ht 31/08/2020)

New civil aviation act strict on aircraft import (ht 29/08/2020)

Govt to remove dollar fare imposed on domestic flights (kh 29/08/2020)

Nepal govt-certified PCR tests necessary: Civil Aviation Ministry (ht 28/08/2020)

NAC assets worth Rs 54.17 billion, debt Rs 45 billion, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 26/08/2020)

Domestic, int’l flights to operate from September 1 (kh 26/08/2020), Govt mulls resuming domestic flights, low-risk places to be prioritized (kh 27/08/2020)

Schedule for international flights released (ht 26/08/2020)

Domestic flights to resume in hills, mountains (ht 26/08/2020)

Resumption of domestic flights uncertain (ht 24/08/2020)

Schedule For Regular Int'l Flight To Be Ready By Tuesday (rn 23/08/2020), Govt decides to limit int’l airlines to operate one flight a day as it prepares to repatriate stranded Nepalis abroad (rep 23/08/2020)

Nepal Airlines gives official send-off  to the pilots of its Chinese aircraft: The Tourism Ministry says it will take a further decision on the grounded planes after the Finance Ministry’s inputs.(kp 20/08/2020)

An airport in Kavre: Flight of fancy or need of the hour? A preliminary survey estimates the airport, with a tabletop runway of 1,200 metres, will cost Rs 16 billion.  Aviation experts say an airport near Kathmandu was needed a decade ago, not now, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/08/2020)

Stakeholders slam govt for not resuming regular flights, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 16/08/2020)

TIA land in the grip of controversial businessmen poses security concern: The group neither worked as per the contract nor paid the rent, by Gajendra Basnet (kh 14/08/2020)

Flights, long-haul transport to remain suspended till August 31 (ht 11/08/2020), Flights, long-distance bus services suspended until August 31 (rep 11/08/2020)

Civil aviation authority cuts budget sharply amid uncertainty over international flights and travel: The authority’s budget has come down to Rs41 billion but has targets to complete two international airports and the extension of parallel taxiway at Kathmandu airport by the end of fiscal year (kp 08/08/2020)

New aviation standards readied, Nepalis returning home should follow these rules (kh 07/08/2020)

Nijgadh Airport culpable for environment natural biodiversity (kh 07/08/200)

Aviation ministry preparing protocols to resume international flights (ht 06/08/2020), Govt to review decision to resume aviation service, long-distance public vehicles as COVID-19 cases see sudden spike (rep 06/08/2020)

August 17 resumption of domestic flights in doubt: ‘It will be foolish to resume flights if COVID cases keep rising and public do not want to travel’ (ht 05/08/2020)

Airlines seek permission to resume flights (ht 04/08/2020)

Nepal Airlines Corporation grounds all its Chinese aircraft (kp 01/08/2020)

Supreme Court rejects plea to halt compensation hearing (ht 30/07/2020)

How continued EU ban on Nepali carriers denied Nepal Airlines opportunity to earn during pandemic: Nepal was close to getting rid of the ban but problems in the ruling party resulted in sudden prorogation of Parliament, putting bills to split up the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal in limbo, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/07/2020)

Ease restrictions on domestic flights: Airline operators (ht 26/07/2020)

Safe takeoff: The government must introduce stricter safety protocols even as it plans to resume scheduled domestic and international flight operations next month (kp 22/07/2020)

International and domestic flights to resume starting August 17: Airlines and tourism entrepreneurs welcome the decision to lift flight restrictions that have been in place for over four months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/07/2020)

Tourism Ministry drops plan to name Munich Airport as operator of Bhairahawa airport: Gautam Buddha International Airport may be ready for operation by the end of this year, say officials, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/07/2020)

Nepal Airlines decides to ground Chinese aircraft for good to cut losses: Six China-made Y12e and MA60 were once said to mark the beginning of a new era, but over the last six years, they have become an albatross around the national carrier’s neck, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/07/2020), NAC’s Chinese planes too costly; incur loss of Rs 5 billion, by Gajendra Basnet (kh 19/07/2020)

Nepal Airlines announces suspending flights after crew members catch virus: The national flag carrier operates four to five repatriation charter flights daily (kp 10/07/2020)

Progress of Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport project affected as equipment, technicians stuck abroad, by Mohammad Habib (rep 10/07/2020)

Government mulling option of opening up international passenger flights: Nearly 150 chartered flights have been operated in over a month, bringing around 22,000 Nepalis from different countries (kp 10/07/2020) [??? See fate of NAC!]

7 NAC crew members, including three pilots, test positive for COVID-19 (rep 06/07/2020), 14 NAC crew members including 3 pilots infected with coronavirus (kh 06/07/2020), Six more NAC staffers test positive for virus (ht 09/07/2020)

Gautam Buddha Airport Construction Deadline Extended Till December 2020 (rn 05/07/2020)

Pokhara Regional International Airport Makes 60 Percent Work Progress (rn 04/07/2020)

Government yet to pay Nepal Airlines Rs 20.4 million in charter costs: The carrier could really use the money as its revenues have been slashed by the pandemic, officials say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 29/06/2020)

Don’t appoint Munich to operate Gautam Buddha Airport, committee tells government: It says a government to government deal might once again court controversy as such agreements haven’t been received well in the past, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/06/2020)

Construction of new international airport in Pokhara on track despite lockdown: Key equipment like lighting systems, communication and navigation aids, baggage handling and other goods, however, have been stranded in Kolkata and Kerung, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp 14/06/2020)

Nepal continues suspension of domestic and international flights until July 5 (rep 14/06/21020)

Domestic airline operators submit SOP to Civil Aviation Authority for approval (ht 11/06/2020)

Airline operators reduce fuel surcharge, airfare drops (ht 08/06/2020)

Construction of new airports only if they meet one of three key criteria (rep 08/06/2020)

Surgical, N-95 masks mandatory in airports (ht 06/06/2020)

Kathmandu airport gets facelift during lockdown: Nepal’s sole aerial gateway is spruced up and adopts precautions as it prepares to receive passengers, by Raju Banskota (nt 05/06/2020)

TIA Completes Improvement Work Taking Advantage Of Lockdown (rn 01/06/2020), Runway end safety areas at Tribhuvan International Airport improved: The runway was extended by 300 metres at the southern end, making its total length 3,350 metres, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/06/2020)

Domestic airline companies face losses to the tune of Rs 2.51bn, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 14/05/2020)

Over Four Thousand Trees To Be Chopped For Nijgadh International Airport Approach Road (rn 11/05/2020), Proposal to cut down trees for NIA to be tabled before Cabinet (ht 11/05/2020)

Regulatory body readying safety measures at airports (ht 11/05/2020)

Nepal airlines may merge to survive: Collapse of aviation could force domestic airlines to join up to consolidate, by Raju Banskota (nt 08/05/2020)

NAC wide-body planes flying to Sydney and Beijing today (kh 06/05/2020)

Nepal Airlines seeks Rs 4 billion to buy new planes to boost domestic services: The state-owned carrier wants to focus on the home front while waiting for international air travel to rebound, by Sangam Prasain (kp 05/05/2020)

Nepal mulls suspending int’l flights until mid-August (kh 02/05/2020)

Pandemic impact on aviation may kill Nijgad: How the proposed airport’s environmental impact assessment green-washed the real cost of Nepal's mega project, by Sonia Awale (nt 01/05/2020)

Buddha Air prepares new safety rules (ht 28/04/2020)

Construction of new departure hall at TIA completed (ht 26/04/2020)

Int’l, domestic flight operation to be halted till May 15 (ht 25/04/2020)

Nepal Airlines cuts domestic pilots salary by 33% (kh 25/04/2020)

Flight Suspension Further Incapacitates Ailing National Flag Carrier, by CK Khanal (rn 24/04/2020)

CAAN preparing new guideline for domestic flight operation (ht 23/04/2020)

TIA construction likely to finish within a month, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 22/04/2020)

CAAN extends licence renewal deadline to May 26 (ht 22/04/2020)

Nepal Airlines pleads for bailout as virus losses eat into cash reserves: The debt-ridden carrier has to fork out around Rs 1.13 billion in interest and instalment payments every quarter (kp 18/04/2020)

Sushil Ghimire appointed Nepal Airlines executive chairman: Ghimire will serve as the acting head of the corporation ‘with full executive powers’, until further notice (kp 16/04/2020)

Construction workers slog away at Bhairahawa airport despite lockdown: But completion is still some way off due to lack of essential equipment, said officials, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 16/04/2020)

Airworthiness certificate of Nepal Airlines' 757 expires while waiting out the lockdown: CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing had confirmed its purchase of the jet by making an advance deposit in January, by Sangam Prasain (kp 15/0/2020)

Billions in losses and hundreds of thousands of jobs on the line as airline industry faces pandemic: Airlines will need immediate and direct financial support from the government if companies are to avoid insolvency and mass layoffs, IATA has advised, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/04/2020)

Lack of construction materials hampers work at GBIA project (rep 13/04/2020)

When pilots stay home, their flying skills get rusty and it can be tough getting back in the air: There are also regulations that pilots need to abide by, including flight hours and three takeoffs and landings in the last 90 days, which is impossible during the lockdown, by Abhaya Raj Joshi (kp 12/04/2020)

Helicopter pilots to have their pay cut by 65 percent: Airlines flying fixed-wing aircraft are expected to slash salaries too as their cash reserves are running low, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/04/2020)

Repatriation flights continue (ht 09/04/2020)

Flight suspension extended till April 30, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht 08/04/2020)

Airline operators mull over slashing pilots’ salaries (ht 08/04/2020)

NAC directed to halt payment of Bon Travel (ht 07/04/2020)

Nepal Airlines Aircraft Slips Off The Runway In Nepalgunj (rn 28/03/2020)

Domestic flights cancelled due to lockdown: Passengers requested to contact airline companies for refund (ht 25/03/2020)

TIA tells staffers to remain alert for emergency flights (rep 25/03/2020)

Domestic airline companies reduce fare (ht 23/03/2020), Domestic airlines to provide up to 36% discounts on airfare (rep 23/03/2020)

64 Nepalis quarantined for violating immigration rules, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 22/03/2020)

Shree Airlines to fly passengers at minimum fare (rep 22/03/2020)

NAC asks staff to stay on unpaid leave (ht 21/03/2020)

Himalaya Airlines announces suspension of all flights (ht 21/03/2020)

India to halt international flights from March 22: NAC to cease its flight operations to New Delhi from Sunday (ht 22/03/2020)

Government bans entry of all passengers, including Nepalis, from midnight March 20: All passengers, including Nepalis, flying in from Europe, the UK, West Asia, and the Gulf will not be allowed into the country until April 15, by Sangam Prasain and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 19/03/2020))

TIA hit by declines in international flight frequency (rep 18/03/2020)

Korean Air, Thai Airways reduce flights (ht 18/03/2020)

Upper House endorses draft bills that will allow splitting the aviation body: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bill and Air Service Authority of Nepal Bill will now be sent to the Lower House for deliberation and final passage, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/03/2020), Aviation bill to separate regulatory and service providing bodies (ht 17/03/2020)

Domestic airlines cut fare by 50% (rep 15/03/2020)

International flights drop significantly at TIA (ht 14/03/2020)

Cabinet turns down ‘incomplete’ proposal: Government re-working on discount package for foreign airlines operating via GBIA (ht 13/03/2020)

Domestic airlines pin hopes on cheaper fuel to help them offset costs: Carriers are currently under pressure due to flight cancellations, suspensions and declining airfare, by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/03/2020)

US-Bangla air crash compensation: KDC decision to adjudicate case upheld, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 12/03/2020)

Domestic airfares hit rock bottom amidst coronavirus travel advisory: Customers might be benefiting from low prices but airlines are looking at hard times—even considering layoffs, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/03/2020)

TIA reports around 50% fall in international passengers (rep 11/03/2020)

NAC and Himalaya Airlines suspend flights to Doha (ht 11/03/2020)

Locals take initiative to reopen Meghauli Airport, b y Surya Prakash Kandel (rep 11/03/2020)

71 Chinese workers quarantined at Pokhara Airport construction site: They had returned to Nepal carrying the Chinese authorities’ certificates that they were free from Covid-19, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp 11/03/2020)

Zurich International asks for extension following court order to stop felling trees at Nijgadh: The Swiss company, which was supposed to submit a business proposal by March 1, will be developing Nijgadh International Airport on a public-private partnership model, by Sangam Prasain (kp 05/03/2020)

Aviation authority urges government to implement stringent travel restrictions: Nepali nationals have been advised to refrain from non-essential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, Japan and Italy, by Sangam Prasain (kp 04/03/2020)

Himalaya Airlines adds A319 aircraft to fleet (rep 04/03/2020)

NAC off to Narita flying in the face of apex court order, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 03/03/2020)

Flights from COVID-19 hit nations may be halted: Civil Aviation Authority given two days to decide as virus spreads globally (ht 02/03/2020), Govt told to halt flights to high-risk countries, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 03/03/2020)

Governmental red tape holds up plan to operate Bhairahawa solely on solar power: A disagreement over land lease rate between the Nepal Electricity Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority means that Bhairahawa might not get its solar plant, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/02/2020)

Nepal Airlines shares should be sold to the private sector too, experts say: The state-owned carrier has decided to sell 25 percent of the shares to other government corporations, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/02/2020)

Loosen the paid-up capital requirement for aspiring airlines, policy panel says: Two international airports are coming up, and new carriers will be needed to fill the available slots, as per the team, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/02/2020)

Test flight conducted at Khanidanda airport (ht 26/02/2020)

Debt-ridden Nepal Airlines to sell a 25 percent stake to other state-owned enterprises: There are hopes that an injection of capital will help the ailing corporation but many are sceptical whether the plan will work without changes to management, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/02/2020), Nepal Airlines is flying blind: Mismanagement and corruption have brought down the national flag carrier (kp 26/02/2020)

Hopeful pilots may have to pass psychometric tests: Policy drafters want to include the requirement after several air crash reports blamed pilot behaviour, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/02/2020)

Poor weather affects flights at TIA (ht 22/02/2020)

NAC’s last flight to Osaka on Feb 27 (ht 22/02/2020)

Bhairahawa international airport to be ready only by mid-year: Delayed delivery of key equipment will push back the completion deadline, officials say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 20/02/2020)

‘Safety top priority of new aviation act’ (ht 20/02/2020), Aviation Policy, 2076, limits foreign investment in flying schools and maintenance institutions (rep 20/02/2020)

Army rehearsal shuts down airport for two hours, affecting scores of flights: A Nepal Army drill, in preparation for the upcoming Army Day, closed Kathmandu airspace for two hours, leading to three dozen domestic flight cancellations, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/02/2020) [????]

Chartered helicopter services banned inside Annapurna Base Camp region: The fourth council meeting of the Annapurna Rural Municipality decided to prohibit choppers in the region last fiscal year, citing adverse impact on the region’s ecology and tourism, by Deepak Pariyar (kp 18/02/2020)

Unauthorised drones posing threat to wildlife, local businesses (ht 15/02/2020)

NAC announces vacancy for 47 pilots, co-pilots (ht 15/02/2020)

A win-win for Nijgadh?: Keeping the Landmark Worldwide Company’s report under wraps does not help Nijgadh. Releasing it might do more good than harm, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 15/02/2020)

Vistara inaugurates daily flight service to Kathmandu (ht 13/02/2020)

NAC chair positive on bringing strategic partner (ht 13/02/2020)

Anti-graft body has no concrete plans to pursue investigation into Airbus revelations: Although numerous other countries have initiated their own investigations into Airbus’ admission of paying bribes, Nepali authorities are uncertain about how to proceed, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/02/2020) [Leading personalities must be spared in any case!]

Fire breaks out at TIA (ht 11/02/2020)

NAC to launch Narita flights on March 2 (ht 11/02/2020)

More Nepalis travelling by air due to cheaper tickets: There were 3.18 million domestic passengers last year compared to 1.37 million a decade ago, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/02/2020)

Shree Airlines launches Kathmandu-Pokhara commercial flights (ht 08/02/2020)

How many trees needed to make way for Nijgadh? Ministry orders fresh count to settle issue: The Environment and Social Impact Assessment report only provided an estimate, new survey will provide exact number, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/02/2020)

Biratnagar-Pokhara direct flight to facilitate third country tourists (ht 06/02/2020)

Rs 89 billion invested in airport projects in past 2.5 years (rep 06/02/2020)

Airbus admits to paying at least 340,000 euros in bribes to Nepali officials: A settlement reached by Airbus with financial authorities in France, UK and US alludes to a total financial commitment of $1.8 million and says the payment is ‘likely to qualify as bribery of a foreign public official’, by Sangam Prasain (kp 04/02/2020), Nepali officials have no plan on how to proceed with Airbus bribery revelations: Countries around the world launch formal investigations into the planemaker’s local connections, Nepal doesn’t have a game plan, by Sangam Prasain (kp 05/02/2020)

No screening for passengers arriving TIA on a Beijing flight Monday, by Ashim Neupane (rep 04/02/2020), Deadly lapse at TIA (rep 05/02/2020)

Chinese carriers cut flights to Kathmandu as passengers cancel tickets en masse: Arrivals from China have all but dried up due to the 'rapidly spreading' coronavirus outbreak, airline officials said, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/02/2020)

Buddha Air begins Kathmandu-Rajbiraj direct flights (ht 02/02/2020)

Passenger flow at Kathmandu airport down for the first time in four years: But the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines, witnessed the strongest growth in passenger carriage, boosting its international market share to 17.77 percent, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/02/2020)

Nepal Airlines pays Rs 1.14bn to CIT, EPF (ht 01/02/2020)

Tourism Ministry gets okay to table bills to break up civil aviation body: The International Civil Aviation Organisation had raised the need to split the authority to avoid a conflict of interest, by Sangam Prasain (kp 31/01/2020)

Solar power plan at Bhairahawa airport hits a snag over land rental rates: Utilising airport space to install solar panels will allow electricity to be generated at the point of consumption, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/01/2020)

Himalaya to suspend China flights from February 7 (ht 30/01/2020) [This would only be reasonable if flights were stopped immediately!]

Govt to expedite expansion and upgradation of Bharatpur Airport (rep 28/01/2020)

Himalaya Airlines starts direct flight to Chongqing (rep 24/01/2020)

Nepal Airlines permanent pilots warn of resigning en masse: The pilots have demanded that they be treated in a fair manner regarding remunerations on par with expat or contract-based pilots, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/01/2020), Nepal Airlines pilots say notice was served to demand pay hike, not to resign: In a Thursday notice, served to the executive chairman of the airline, a group of undersigned pilots had complained of huge differences in remuneration between them and expat pilots, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/01/2020), NAC pilots resign en masse citing unfair treatment (ht 25/01/2020)

Locals protest land acquisition drive for regional int’l airport (ht 24/01/2020)

US firm makes down payment, confirming purchase of Boeing 757: The company deposited $281,000 into the carrier’s account on Thursday, which is a 5 percent payment of the total aircraft cost, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/01/2020)

Buddha Air, Shree Airlines to add new destinations (ht 23/01/2020)

TIA transformation far from complete: Minister had said ‘boutique airport’ would be ready by Jan 1 (ht 21/01/2020)

NAC to fly to Narita from March 2 (ht 21/01/2020)

Kharel resigns as NAC executive chairman, by Arpane Ale Magar (ht 20/01/2020)

Buddha Air flights to Rajbiraj (ht 20/01/2020)

Airport CCTV footage leak raises more queries than provides answers: Police say they’re unaware of how a singer’s security check video went into the public domain, but retired officials call it a deliberate leak and wrong practice, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 19/01/2020)

NAC flying plane with dysfunctional emergency code on cockpit door, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 19/01/2020)

Government moves ahead with Nijgadh airport project: Investment Board of Nepal says other processes should not be stopped despite interim orders from the apex court not to cut trees, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/01/2020) [??]

IBN asks Zürich Airport to submit NIA proposal (ht 18/01/2020)

Winter rain affects flights, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 18/01/2020)

Airlines operators’ members offloaded from civil aviation board: The new board should induct members possessing special qualification on the aviation sector and should have at least one female member, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/01/2020)

Autumn travel rush pulls Nepal Airlines back from the brink: The bonanza allowed the teetering national flag carrier to repay creditors breathing down its neck, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/01/2020)

VN 2020 Secretariat appoints Nepal Airlines as official carrier partner (ht 16/01/2020)

AirAsia refutes any payment obligations (ht 16/01/2020)

GBIA infrastructure to be ready by March, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 15/01/2020)

Vistara set to start Kathmandu flights in Feb (ht 15/01/2020), Vistara to fly to Kathmandu from February (rep 18/01/2020)

Pokhara Airport serving 2,000 passengers a day, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 14/01/2020)

Nepal Airlines' Doha service avoids Iranian airspace: The carrier has been using Iranian airspace since 2017 after several Arab nations barred aircraft from flying to Doha through their airspace (kp 09/01/2020)

Govt prepares to review domestic airfares soon (ht 06/01/2020)

Number of passengers increases at Nepalgunj Airport (ht 05/01/2020)

Nijgadh International Airport case: CJ defends decision to issue stay order (ht 04/01/2019)

TIA flights affected (rep 04/01/2020)

Chinese state firm wins bid for Kathmandu airport project: The project includes building 15 new international parking bays and taxiway on the northern side of the runway, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/01/2019)

Rush the process of splitting the aviation authority: Private airlines: The plan to break up the civil aviation body into regulator and service provider has dragged on for nine years, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/01/2020), Minister demands logical reasons for not splitting CAAN (ht 01/01/2020)

TIA health desk without staff ahead of Visit Nepal 2020: Health experts warn of possible transmission of deadly diseases, by Arjun Poudel (kp 31/12/2019)

Clearing trees at Nijgadh: Govt-community bonhomie needed, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 31/12/2019)

Aviation act to benefit passengers: Will be eligible for compensation for flight delays, cancellations (ht 30/12/2019)

Govt likely to replace NAC chair: Seeks five-point clarification from Kharel citing unsatisfactory work progress (ht 30/12/2019)

TIA runway rehabilitation completed 128 days ahead of schedule (rep 29/12/2019)

Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport deferred, deadline extended for 4th time, by Mohammad Habib (rep 28/12/2019)

Pokhara: Nepal’s new aviation gateway; After decades of delays, Pokhara’s new airport will allow international passengers to bypass Kathmandu, by Kunda Dixi (nt 27/12/2019)

CAAN workers threaten to halt aviation services (ht 26/12/2019)

Nepal Airlines offered $5.71 million for its vintage Boeing 757: The national flag carrier has been under pressure to sell the jet as its airworthiness will expire in February, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/12/2019)

Nepal needs another international airport. So why is Nijgadh being held up? Local residents want the project to take off, hoping economic returns. But there are also nationwide protests against the plan, mainly over the number of trees that have to be felled to create space for the airport, by Laxmi Sah (kp 19/12/2019), More than a fistful: Different people want Nijgadh airport for different reasons given that it has a price tag of about 6.56 billion dollars. Some want it more due to pathetic state of TIA, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 21/12/2019), NIA could boost GDP by five to eight percentage points: Stakeholders, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 22/12/2019), SC continues interim order halting felling of trees in Nijgadh (ht 23/12/2019), 15 points for and against Nijgad Airport (nt 27/12/2019)

Government tightens rules for deploying in-flight security officer (ht 19/12/2019)

Kathmandu airport to be open for 21 hours daily from January 1: Workers have finished renovating the taxiway allowing the airport to resume regular hours, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/12/2019), TIA taxiway construction completed (ht 17/12/2019)

Udayapur revives airport plan, by Maheshwar Chamling Rai (rep 17/12/2019)

Snowfall forces air service shut across Karnali region, by Dhan Bahadur Budha (rep 16/12/2019)

Draft Civil Aviation Bill submitted to the Cabinet: A decade-old initiative to break up the civil aviation body is alive once again, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/12/2019)

Land acquisition decision for Pokhara int’l airport draws flak, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 14/12/2019)

European Commission maintains ban on Nepali airlines: The carriers remain on the updated EU Air Safety List for failing safety requirements and are barred from EU skies., by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/12/2019)

Himalaya Airlines resumes Kuala Lumpur flights (ht 12/12/2019)

Airline operators seek permit to fly to Lukla from Kathmandu this season (ht 10/12/2019)

High cost of jet fuel in Kathmandu airport is keeping foreign airlines away: Airlines pay $1 per litre to fuel up at Tribhuvan International Airport, compared to $0.55 per litre in Delhi, a new government report says, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/12/2019) [High ground handling charges, twice as high as at other international airports, are another reason for foreign airlines not to fly to TIA. Quite obviously, the government does not want to increase the number of incoming tourists!]

Uniformity in airfare for locals, foreigners possible (ht 09/12/2019)

Supreme Court asks government to halt plans for Nijgadh airport: The judge has invited both the petitioners and defendants to discuss the matter, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 07/12/2019), SC bars felling of trees in Nijgadh: There are 500 to 600 years old trees. They should be preserved (ht 07/12/2019), SC stays Nijgadh airport construction work (rep 07/12/2019), MoCTCA to brief apex court about Nijgadh int’l airport (ht 08/12/2019), ‘No alternative to Nijgadh Airport’ (rep 08/12/2019), A case for Nijgadh airport (rep 09/12/2019), Nijgadh International Airport: Rumor and reality; Many people have misconception that deforestation will begin right after the Ministry approves the proposal for airport construction. It does not work that way, by Biranchi Poudyal (rep 12/12/2019)

Wild boars entering runway pose threat to planes, by Arjun Oli (rep 07/12/2019)

Plans to put Chinese planes back in the air jinxed by lack of spares: Nepal Airlines had previously been forced to ground them for lack of pilots, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/12/2019)

Flights from Bhadrapur and Biratnagar to link Bangladesh: Saidpur in Bangladesh is a 20-minute hop by plane from the two border cities, by Parbat Portel (kp 06/12/2019

Nepal Airlines eyes Tokyo after Osaka debacle: The state-owned carrier plans to operate three weekly flights to the Japanese capital from January, by Sangam Prasain (kp 04/12/2019)

80pc progress in TIA rehabilitation so far (ht 04/12/2019)

China says will not conduct safety audit of NAC (ht 04/12/2019), NAC gets go-ahead to operate China flights (ht 05/12/2019)

Kathmandu Airport is reviewing its master plan as final expansion cost expected to touch $1 billion: Airport authorities say its cost-effective to build a new domestic terminal at the eastern side of the runway, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/12/2019)

TIA Immigration and VNY 2020: Making services swifter, by Rohit Bhattarai (kp 02/12/2019)

Work to spruce up domestic airports gathers pace this fiscal (ht 02/12/2019)

Bajhang airport blacktopping behind schedule, by Jagat Khadka (rep 02/12/2019)

NIA construction unlikely to begin soon (ht 30/11/2019). Don’t delay NIA: Nijgadh is the most suitable place for a full-fledged international airport, and there is no point in delaying it any further (ht 02/12/2019)

NAC’s Boeing finally receives three bid proposals (ht 30/11/2019)

Flawed assessment: Environment Impact Assessment report of Nijgadh airport does not consider how mass tree felling will impact ecology, by Chanda Thapa Rana (rep 30/11/2019)

Bhairahawa airport is nearing completion, but no foreign airline has applied to serve it: Officials say test flights can be conducted by April after the navigation and surveillance equipment is installed, by Sangam Prasain (kp 29/11/2019)

Buddha Air to operate Biratnagar-Pokhara flights, by Binod Subedi (rep 27/11/2019)

High operating costs and few passengers force Buddha Air to cancel Kolkata flights: The airlines’ cancellation does not bode well for the domestic aviation or tourism industry, analysts and entrepreneurs say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/11/2019) [Nepal's pricing policy does everything to prevent the development of aviation and tourism!],  After losing Rs 100m in 7 months, Buddha Air stops Kolkata flights, by Muna Sunuwar (ht 01/12/2019)

Manthali airport being upgraded to accommodate more flights, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 25/11/2019)

Airline companies send back migrant workers from airport without any ‘valid reasons’: As incidents of workers being deprived of flying by airline companies become frequent, the foreign employment department writes to Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/11/2019)

Any Nepali can aspire to be civil aviation chief, says draft bill: Previously, potential candidates had to be deputy director general of the aviation authority or joint-secretary in the Tourism Ministry, by Sangam Prasain (kp 23/11/2019)

Full throttle overhead: While nothing much can be done as regards airport location some improvements on basic infrastructures could help TIA improve its image, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 23/11/2019)

Govt planning to demarcate boundaries for Nijgadh Int’l Airport (rep 23/11/2019)

Air travel is safer than ever before: There has been an incredible advancement in technology in the global aviation system, but humans still play a vital role, by Tri Ratna Manandhar (kp 21/11/2019)

Government prodding needed to finish Bhairahawa airport on time, officials say: Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa was initially slated to be ready by December 2017, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/11/2019)

CAAN evaluating proposals for renovation of int’l terminal building (rep 21/11/2019)

Himalaya Airlines starts direct flight to Guiyang (rep 21/11/2019)

Stakeholders ask government to ensure Manthali-Lukla flights, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 20/11/2019)

International aviation regulator to conduct full safety audit in Nepal in May: Nepal’s score for effective implementation of accident investigation is still 18.68 percent, which is far below the global average of 57.43 percent, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/11/2019)

Dhangadi airport to be partially closed for a month (ht 18/11/2019)

Pokhara's new international airport to be equipped with wide area multilateration: The system provides performance that is comparable to secondary surveillance radar in terms of accuracy and reliability, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/11/2019)

No, not a drop more: Airlines flying in to Kathmandu make sure that they have enough fuel for long hold ups, either due to cracks on the runway or a disabled aircraft or that parking space is full, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 16/11/2019)

For Everest enthusiasts, an unpleasant experience awaits at Manthali airport: The Ramechhap airport, which now conducts around 85 flights daily, is severely underequipped to handle the hundreds of tourists who arrive and leave every day, by Tika Prasad Bhatta (kp 14/11/2019)

Nepal Airlines cuts price in half to offload vintage Boeing 757: This special Combi model is capable of seating passengers while also carrying two pallets of cargo, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/11/2019)

Families of air crash victims say they are being pressured to withdraw their case: 22 Nepalis were killed when US-Bangla flight BS 211 from Dhaka crashed while landing at Kathmandu airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/11/2019)

Air traffic congestion to hit VNY 2020, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 13/11/2019), Run TIA effectively: TIA needs to manage its limited space effectively until GBIA comes into full operation within a couple of months (ht 14/11/2019)

Bhadrapur airport to be closed for 10 days (ht 12/11/2019)

Nepal Airlines urges government to seek Chinese help for safety audit: China is poised to become one of the largest tourist markets for Nepal, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/11/2019)

Parking congestion responsible for mishap at Tribhuvan airport on Friday (ht 10/11/2019)

Int'l flights to operate from Pokhara by April 2021, by Dhan Basnet (rep 10/11/2019)

Nepal Airlines' Chinese planes are flying less and racking up more in operation costs: Starting next year, Nepal Airlines will have to pay more than Rs250 million every year in loan repayments for the six Chinese aircraft acquired in 2014, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/11/2019)

Munich Airport close to being named operator of Bhairahawa airport: Officials said the Germans had been asked to submit a detailed plan including the operation modality, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/11/2019)

Security at TIA foolproof, claims govt, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 07/11/2019), Matter of concern: When the customs at the TIA and along the borders are considered to be lucrative postings, you know something is amiss (ht 07/11/2019), US State Department report pokes holes in security at country’s only international airport: The report could be a catalyst for the Nepali security apparatus to dig deeper and deal with any potential threats, analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/11/2019)

Chinese airlines have 48 weekly flights to Nepal but Nepal Airlines hasn’t even acquired a permit for Guangzhou: All airlines are required to undergo a safety audit when flying to a new region, but a Chinese audit has been delayed three times, with no guarantee it will happen anytime soon, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/11/2019), The government should help Nepal Airlines get a permit to fly to China: The ruling party always boasts of its friendship with China but has been unable to help the failing national flag carrier (ht)

Gautam Buddha airport to miss project completion deadline again (ht 07/11/2019)

NAC studying seven new destinations, by Muna Sunuwar (rep 07/11/2019)

Nepal Airlines unveils cost optimisation plan (ht 07/11/2019)

Construction of airport in Upper Mustang proposed (rep 06/11/2019)

NAC ramps up preparations for non-stop flights to Guangzhou, Tokyo, by Muna Sunuwar (rep 06/11/2019)

Manang awaits promised flight service: Humde Airport has not had regular flight service in years, by Aash Gurung (kp 05/11/2019)

Last minute flight cancelations distress travelers, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 05/11/2019)

Bhairahawa airport enters second phase of construction: Technicians to start work to install communications, navigation and surveillance equipment from next week; The airport was initially slated to be ready by December 2017, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/11/2019)

Expansion of Manthali airport starts (ht 03/11/2019)

Passengers protest at airport after Oli’s return from Baku delayed their flight by nearly an hour: Pilots were asked to stop engines of Shree Airlines flight because of disturbance caused at VIP lounge where Oli was being welcomed, officials say (kp 28/10/2019) [This unbelievable political arrogance continues unabated! Visit Nepal Year should be renamed into Travel Godlike Policians Year! After the democratisation only the names of the gods have changed! Nepal is probably the only country in which internationally insignificant politicians regularly frustrate domestic and foreign travellers!]

First Kathmandu-Beijing flight set to take off tomorrow: Himalaya Airlines plans to operate three weekly services on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/10/2019)

Nepal Airlines’ last Boeing awaits a buyer, but there are none forthcoming: After two separate auction notices failed to find a buyer, Nepal Airlines Corporation has now decided to go into direct negotiations, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/10/2019)

Panel formed to formulate new Civil Aviation Act (ht 23/10/2019)

Before Visit Nepal, the country needs to improve airport management: It was a nightmare day for airport authorities and passengers the day Xi Jinping left Nepal, by Sujeev Shakya (kp 22/10/2019)

Government, Germany’s Munich Airport to hold final round of talks: The agenda includes the operation management of Gautam Buddha International Airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/10/2019)

Rastriya Janata Party lawmaker vandalises counter at Janakpur airport: The lawmaker said that he was furious at the condition of the airport, and the irresponsibility and indifference of Budhha Air’s officials to passengers’ queries, by Santosh Singh (kp 15/10/2019), Airline operators warn of suspending all Janakpur flights (rep 15/10/2019)

Tribhuvan International Airport reschedules flights in view of Xi’s arrival and departure: TIA has revised the schedule of 33 and 54 international flights for Saturday and Sunday (kp 12/10/2019)

Airlines adding flights to ease festive commute (ht 05/10/2019)

TAAN seeks Ramechhap airport upgradation (ht 05/10/2019)

Chhetri transferred to CAAN from TIA (ht 05/10/2019)

Nepal Airlines sees strong October, November demand for Japan flights: Nepalis rushing home for the holidays are filling the flights out of Osaka, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/10/2019)

Pokhara Airport profits Rs 50m in FY2018/19, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 01/10/2019)

Nepal, Australia to sign air service agreement: Australia will permit seven weekly flights to key cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/09/2019), Nepal, Australia sign air service agreement to operate direct flights: The accord allows seven weekly flights between Kathmandu and Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/10/2019)

Himalaya Airlines announces new partnership with Tibet Civil Aviation: The carrier plans to operate direct services between Kathmandu and Beijing from October 27, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/09/2019), Himalaya Airlines to transfer Chinese ownership, introduces new logo (ht 30/09/2019)

Nepal, UAE ink revised air services agreement (ht 30/09/2019)

Bhairahawa airport's plan to go solar is feasible, say officials: All systems—from air traffic control to runway lights—will run on power from the sun, by Prahlad Rijal (kp 28/09/2019)

Members of investigation bodies say they have not been paid: The experts who probed the Makalu Air, Altitude Air, Air Dynasty and Summit Air crashes are yet to get their money, by Sangam Prasain (kp24/09/2019)

Zürich Airport shortlisted to develop Nijgadh Airport, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 24/09/2019)

Rs5 billion international terminal to be built at Bhairahawa airport: Officials say the construction of the project is likely to start by 2020, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/09/2019)

Four airlines poised to launch Kathmandu-Delhi flights,fares likely to drop: The additional services may ignite fierce competition and benefit consumers, say travel traders, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/09/2019)

High cost lays aviation low in Nepal: Kathmandu has the highest fuel and handling costs of any airport in the world, and the poorest facilities, by Sharad Ojha (nt 20/09/2019)

Privatise NAC: The govt should give up the idea of doing business in airlines as the private sector has become capable of competing with others (ht 20/09/2019)

International flight operations disturbed (ht 20/09/2019)

CAAN unveils Rs 46.96 bn budget for 2019-2o; Civil aviation regulatory body plans to distribute bonus worth Rs 1.26 billion to staffers (ht 20/09/2019)

Reform committee suggests handing Nepal Airlines management over to a foreign partner: Numerous committees have recommended the same thing in the past, but nothing has been implemented, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/09/2019), Panel recommends NAC privatisation: Says national flag carrier should divest 49 pc of its shares (ht 19/09/2019), Panel recommends NAC add two narrow body planes, by Muna Sunuwar (ep 19/09/2019)

Incessant rainfall affects domestic flights at TIA (ht 19/09/2019)

Tourism ministry gearing up to sign air services agreement with Australia (ht 18/09/2019)

Bad weather leaves 300 stranded in Lukla, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 17/09/2019), Bad weather forces choppers to land in paddy fields, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 18/09/2019)

Buddha Air’s flight was delayed because minister’s aide misinformed airport about their location, sources say: Two officials familiar with the conversation between Nepalgunj airport and the airline’s office in Kathmandu said the additional delay was caused by protesting passengers, by Samuel Chhetri and Sangam Prasain (kp 16/09/2019), Minister Bhattarai kicks up another row, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 16/09/2019)

The rise and fall of Nepal Airlines: Once the country’s largest employer and the largest earner of foreign currency, Nepal Airlines was brought down by the two evils that plague most other public bodies in Nepal—mismanagement and corruption, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/09/2019)

Summit Air crash caused by uneven thrust between the two engines, says preliminary report: The LET L-410 slammed into a fence before colliding with two parked helicopters, killing the copilot Sujit Dhungana and two policemen on the ground, by Sangam Prasain  (kp 14/09/2019)

Nepal Airlines violated own criteria while awarding contract for printing its in-flight magazine, report says: Corporation spokesperson expresses ignorance about the matter, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 09/09/2019)

‘Upgradation of Biratnagar Airport soon’ (ht 09/09/2019)

CAAC team to visit in mid-September (ht 08/09/2019)

Fresh financing arrangement to be made for airport improvement project: The upgradation of Tribhuvan International Airport has been moving in fits and starts since 2012, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/09/2019)

PM’s arrival at TIA delays flights one hour, by Sujeeta Pradhan (rep 07/09/2019) [This royal bad habit must be ended at once!]

Acting deaf n dumb: New tourism minister has come up with list of tasks he wishes to get done before Visit Nepal Year 2020. But he has left out many aspects, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 07/09/2019)

Bhairahawa airport to conduct test flights by March-end: Workers are putting the finishing touches to the interiors and installing and testing various equipment, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/09/2019)

Amid environmentalists’ concern, tourism minister repeats he will build Nijgadh airport: Debate should focus on location rather than on whether Nepal needs another international airport, environmentalists say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 06/09/2019)

Nijgadh Airport: Rs 600 million distributed to project-affected so far; Compensation distribution, perimeter fencing works nearing completion, by Upendra Yadav (rep 05/09/2019)

Nepal Airlines Corporation fails to auction its Boeing 757 again (kp 03/09/2019)

NAC plans to operate only two flights a week to Japan (ht 02/09/2019), NAC cuts Osaka flights to two a week for a month, by Nikeeta Gautam (rep 04/09/2019)

Kathmandu Airport to be closed for seven hours daily for repairs from Sunday: From January, the airport plans to open 24/7 for the first time since its operation in 1949, by Sangam Prasain (kp 31/08/2019), TIA to close for 7 hours daily from Sept 1: Runways of airports have to be repaired every 10 years (ht 01/09/2019)

Tourism Ministry is preparing new bill with conflicting provisions on plane crash compensation: Government move to fix a uniform liability amount equal to international airlines is unfair, domestic airlines say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/08/2019)

Vehicles of just 6 VVIPs to be allowed on TIA domestic apron (rep 30/08/2019)

Uniformity in airfare infeasible: Operators, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 29/08/2019)

Domestic travelers required to reach TIA an hr before flight (rep 29/08/2019)

Delayed budget approval may hold up projects, say officials: The Civil Aviation Authority has prepared a Rs45 billion plan for fiscal 2019-20, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/08/2019)

Europe's continued ban on Nepali airlines is unfair, civil aviation officials say: ICAO had given Nepal a score of 66 percent for effective implementation of safety standards—way above the global benchmark of 60 percent, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/08/2019), CAAN requests Europe to ease ban on Nepali airlines (rep 26/08/2019)

GBIA achieves 80 per cent work progress (ht 24/08/2019)

Suspension on Simrik Airlines’ flights continues (ht 24/08/2019)

India proposes to conduct study for navigational satellite programme: GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation is expected to improve air traffic management on the Indian subcontinent, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/08/2019)

High ATF price hits foreign airlines: ‘Operating from Nepal becoming increasingly infeasible', by Sujan Dhungana (ht 23/08/2019) [Obviously, Nepal is not interested in promoting tourism!], NAC refuels abroad (ht 23/08/2019)

Seven companies express interest to build NIA (ht 23/08/2019)

The pain of going around: Nepal aviation has been subjected to EASA’s blacklisting since December 2013 because many European lives were lost in domestic sectors in STOLs and helicopter crashes, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 22/08/2019)

Myanmar agrees to implement Himalaya-2 air route (ht 22/08/2019), Nepal and Myanmar to hold talks to develop Himalaya 2 airspace: The air route is shorter, safer, more economical and efficient for flights between Europe-Middle East and East Asia, by Sangam Prasain (kp 23/08/2019)

Nepal Airlines resumes its Osaka flights after a decade but it may fly almost empty: Officials admit that the poor bookings reflect the carrier’s reputation for inefficiency, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/08/2019)

Open skies for all: As the govt has taken measures to improve the aviation sector, EU should also rethink its ban on Nepali airlines from flying in its skies (ht 21/08/2019)

CAAN temporarily suspends all flights of Simrik Airlines (ht 21/09/209)

Himalaya Airlines cleared to operate flights to Beijing: The private Nepali carrier plans to operate three weekly services to Beijing Daxing International Airport from September, by Sangam Prasain (kp 20/08/2019)

Eight companies from seven countries are vying for the bid to build Nijgadh International Airport: The project, which is expected to cost $3.45 billion in total, is eyed by both China and India, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/08/2019)

Bhairahawa is getting a multi-billion-rupee airport. But will tourists spend time in the city? Although the city is the gateway to one of the country’s most prized landmarks, it hardly has enough attractions to hold tourists for more than a day, by Arya Mainali (kp 18/08/2019)

CAAN to host 56th DGCA Conference (ht 17/08/2019), ‘Sky should be accessible to all nations’ (ht 20/08/2019), Civil aviation's mega meet concludes, next edition in Dhaka (rep 24/08/2019)

SSP implementation rate above 72%: CAAN (rep 17/08/209)

EU needs to clarify ban on Nepali airlines: Bhattarai (ht 16/08/2019)

Shree Airlines to fly to India, Bangladesh (ht 15/08/2019)

Kathmandu Airport to roll out heavy discount offers for midnight flights: The move is aimed at helping the congested airport deal with rapidly rising passenger numbers next year when Visit Nepal 2020 will begin, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/08/2019)

‘Govt will build NIA if it fails to lure foreign investors’ (ht 14/08/2019)

TIA to set up taxi tracking system (ht 14/08/2019)

Team leaves for Malaysia to study solar technologies at Bhairahawa airport: The Gautam Buddha International Airport, which is due to be completed by early next year, plans to go fully solar, by Prahlad Rijal (kp 13/08/2019)

NEA to build dedicated feeder line to GBIA (ht 13/08/2019)

TIA urged to focus on post-midnight flights (ht 13/08/2019)

Nepal Airlines wants to sell its last Boeing 757, but receives only two takers: When the aircraft flies off into the sunset, it will mark the end of the Boeing era in Nepal that began nearly five decades ago, by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/08/2019)

Shree Airlines permitted to operate flights to Varanasi (ht 12/08/2019)

Bhairahawa airport may be completed by December or March but no one knows when operations will begin: With so much work still remaining, not many are convinced that the airport will be complete anytime soon, by Sangam Prasain  (kp 09/08/2019)

Tourism minister vows to build Nijgadh airport at any cost: All issues will be resolved, promised Yogesh Bhattarai, but environmental activists are unconvinced, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/08/2019)

Civil Aviation Authority submits $130m counterclaim against Spanish contractor: Constructora Sanjose had filed a $28 million claim at Singapore International Arbitration Centre for contract termination, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/08/2019)

Govt to form task force to study status of NAC: It will plan the course for betterment of the airlines (ht 0608/2019)

Operate TIA round the clock, NATTA asks tourism minister (rep 06/08/2019)

Construction of NIA will start soon: Minister Bhattarai (ht 05/08/2019)

NAC to operate more domestic flights to contribute to VNY 2020 (ht 05/08/2019), NAC operates trial flights to various parts of the country (rep 05/08/2019)

Turbulent times for NAC: NAC’s business plan was premised on a flawed assumption of easy access to the proposed new destinations like Korea, Japan and China apart from Europe, by Mukul Mishra (rep 04/08/2019)

NAC calls bids from consultants to conduct DDA (rep 04/08/2019)

NAC to conduct chartered flights to Narita (ht 02/08/2019)

Nepal Airlines has new planes, but no new plans, by Sharad Ojha (nt 02/08/2019)

Families of US-Bangla Airlines crash victims file $19 million lawsuit: Flight BS-211 from Dhaka crashed on landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, killing 51 passengers, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/08/2019)

Rs 10b collected in aviation development fund in 5 years (rep 31/07/2019)

NAC introduces promotional airfare for Osaka flights (ht 30/07/2019)

In new pact, Nepal and China agree to increase weekly flights to 98: The agreement is significant boost for Nepal, which, five years ago, began with only 14 weekly flights to Chinese cities, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/07/2019)

Cabinet approves, in-principle, to draft civil aviation bills: Proposed legislation will split Civil Aviation Authority into regulator and service provider, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/07/2019)

Incessant rainfall affects local flights (ht 25/07/2019), Bad weather affects domestic flights (rep 25/07/2019)

NAC reopens booking for Osaka flights (rep 25/07/2019)

MoCTCA team departs to  China for revision of ASA (ht 24/07/2019)

Trekking operators warm to Manthali-Lukla flights, by Nikeeta Gautam (rep 24/07/2019)

Himalaya Airlines to begin flights to Dhaka from today (ht 22/07/2019)

43pc of PRIA construction work completed so far (ht 16/07/2019)

Preventing another setback, Kathmandu airport will offer short window for Nepal Airlines flight to JapanAirport officials are making an exception by opening the airport for 30 minutes  during the construction phase of the taxiway in September, by Sangam Prasain (kp 15/07/2019)

Domestic airports resume operations (ht 15/07/2019)

GBIA deadline extended till December (ht 15/07/2019)

Nepal Airlines says it may incur a loss of Rs1.5 billion this fiscal year: National flag carrier points to higher fuel prices and competition from budget airlines for the debacle, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/07/2019)

Sound of silence: Communications in aviation are not as dependent on HF transmission as before, as other modes of communications have overtaken HF, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 13/07/2019)

Yeti Airlines aircraft skids off runway (ht 12/07/2019), Runway operations at TIA halted till 7:00 pm (ht 12/07/2019), Tribhuvan International Airport temporarily closed after Yeti Airlines aircraft suffers 'runway excursion' (kp 12/07/2019), Kathmandu airport shut for eight hours after Yeti aircraft overshoots runway during landing: Yeti Airlines aircraft that skidded off the runway on  landing could not be removed due to heavy rains, forcing all flights to be cancelled or diverted until 7pm, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/07/2019), Tribhuvan International Airport opens again after being closed down for eight hours, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/07/2019), Yeti plane runway excursion shuts TIA for 8 hours, by Muna Sunuwar (rep 13/07/2019)

Himalaya Airlines starting Dhaka flights from July 22 (rep 12/07/2019)

Cabinet okays revision of air service agreement with China, by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/07/2019)

Rs 50-cr remote parking bay inoperative, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 09/07/2019) [????]

Nepal Airlines lacks pilots and plans to keep its Chinese-made planes airborneAs the four aircraft languish in the hangar, cash-strapped Nepal Airlines Corporation’s losses soar, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/07/2019)

Prime minister blasts management of Nepal Airlines for litany of failures: The only thing it has done is accumulated loans worth Rs36 billion, Oli says, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/07/2019), NAC on a prayer: The NAC cannot be relying on the government for largesse to pay up its debt while the management does little to improve its efficiency (ht 03/07/2019)

NIA likely to get permission to cut down trees (ht 29/06/219)

NAC receives aircraft maintenance approval from regulator (ht 29/06/2019)

In instrument we trust: The most critical step in making aviation safer, as what it is today, was primarily due to setting up of “standard pressure” that governed cruising in the airways, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 29/06/2019)

Kathmandu airport to remain open for 21 hours daily from Monday: The airport will again remain closed for 8 hours daily from September for taxiway repairs, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/06/2019)

Violations  of operating  procedures led to Air Dynasty crash, report says: The crash, which killed a sitting minister, clearly violated all standards for flying in inclement  weather and at high altitudes, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/06/2019)

Dalit women representatives and decision making: They are entering positions of power in their own right, not thanks to the quota system, and need to be respected, by Sarita Pariyar (kp 27/06/2019)

NAC calls tender for auction of Boeing aircraft (ht 27/06/2019)

Khatiwada reveals turnaround plan for debt-ridden Nepal Airlines: Capital restructuring and inducting a strategic partner are the major moves to revamp the state-owned carrier, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/06/2019)

Humde airport yet to resume regular flights (ht 24/06/2019)

Three new laws suggested to run civil aviation authority, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/06/2019)

TIA to resume 21-hour  operation from July (ht 20/06/2019)

Nepal to seek access to all Chinese airports in new aviation agreement: Delegations from the two countries scheduled to meet in Beijing to thrash out the details, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/06/2019)

TAAN urges govt to halt Kathmandu-Lukla flights (ht 19/06/2019)

Preparations for flights to China completed by NAC (ht 17/06/2019)

CAAN to continue Ramechhap-Lukla flights (ht 17/06/2019)

PM Oli hopeful of Nepali planes returning to European skies (rep 17/06/2019)

16 airports out of operation (ht 16/06/2019)

Gulf of distrust: There is good prospect for trans-Himalayan airways, not just “South of Himalayas,” that could help bring in better connectivity benefits in future, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 15/06/2019)

Gautam Buddha Airport slated to be second fully solar-powered airport in the world: The project aims to produce 10 MW of solar power and is estimated to cost nearly $10 million, or $1 million per MW, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/06/2019)

NAC preparing to put Y12e  aircraft back  in service (ht 14/06/2019)

Nepal Airlines to say bye bye to its last Boeing 757, auction notice on Friday: When the aircraft flies off into the sunset, it will mark the end of the Boeing era in Nepal that began nearly 50 years ago, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/06/2019)

Finland proposes signing air service agreement with Nepal: A flight between Kathmandu and Helsinki is estimated to take around 9 hours, by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/06/2019), Finnair proposes Kathmandu-Helsinki flights (ht 19/06/2019)

Paragliding has taken off in Pokhara, but the risks are numerous: In the past year alone, there have been 20 serious accidents involving paragliders, and no one seems to know who is responsible, by Sachitra Gurung (kp 10/06/2019)

‘Wide-body aircraft  acquired without  preparations’ (ht 08/06/2019)

Nepal Airlines postpones flight service to Osaka, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 06/06/2019), Nepal Airlines postpones Osaka service due to ‘very poor’ bookings: The national flag carrier is restarting a service that debuted a quarter century ago, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/06/2019), Unreliable service: Postponing flights to Osaka might make business sense to the airline, but in doing so NAC’s credibility is at stake (ht 07/06/2019)

Pokhara Regional International Airport: Stakeholders see need for better access road, by Santosh Pokharel  (rep 05/06/2019)

Kathmandu’s airport gets two new parking bays (kp 05/06/2019)

Threat to halt air services from Thursday (ht 04/06/2019)

Construction of two new remote parking bays at TIA completed (ht 03/06/2019)

Cabinet issues ‘conflicting decision’ over Bhairahawa airport operation: It has asked the tourism ministry to appoint the foreign firms through a government to government deal, while also asking officials to hold an open competition, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/06/2019)

Cabinet okays GBIA operation in G2G modality (ht 31/05/2019)

Govt yet to fulfil commitments made earlier for aviation sector (ht 28/05/2019)

Buddha Air to launch budget flights to Kolkata today (kp 27/05/2019)

TIA to be upgraded to boutique airport by Oct (ht 26/05/2019)

Snail-paced repair work at Dhangadhi Airport disappoints Sudurpaschim people, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep 26/05/2019)

Airlines keen to add flights to New Delhi (ht 24/05/2019)

Construction of runway at Bhairahawa airport completed, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 23/05/2019), With runway blacktopped, Lumbini moves closer to opening a new int'l airport, by Mohammad Habib (rep 23/05/2019)

DPR of Sindhuli domestic airport completed (ht 23/05/2019)

TIA fleecing international passengers for 8 years?, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 20/05/2019)

PAC directs CAAN to  recover Rs 1.95bn dues (ht 20/05/2019)

Himalaya Airlines to lease one aircraft to Vietnamese airline (ht 18/05/2019)

All for pride: Overflying ferry flights, destined to Nepal, were compelled to land under one pretext or another or held up in countries outside India for days before permits were issued, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 18/05/2019)

Drone use in restricted areas goes unchecked, by Deepak Pariyar (kp 17/05/2019)

NAC’s profit surges after grounding of Jet Airways (ht 16/05/2019)

Nepal, Cambodia agree to expedite process to start direct flights (rep 16/05/2019)

Gautam Buddha airport contractor stops work after not getting paid, by sSangam Prasain (kp 13/05/2019), Construction work at GBIA halted: Contractor says has not received budget to carry out further works (ht 13/05/2019), Finance Ministry okays another Rs 700 million for Bhairahawa airport project (kp 14/05/2019), Construction work of GBIA resumes (ht 14/05/2019), Shortage of engineering material, delay in payments hit the project in last leg, by Mohammad Habib (rep 14/05/2019)

Aviation diplomacy: This can play a crucial role in promoting Nepal’s tourism that is vital to the economy, by Yubraj Bhandari (kp 13/05/2019)

Grounded Chinese planes to take to the skies again by July, by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/05/2019)

NAC urged to increase flights to India (ht 11/05/2019)

NAC flying to Osaka from July 4 (rep 09/05/2019), Nepal Airlines offers cheapest flight to Osaka: Rs45,000 one-way, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/05/2019)

Dhangadhi airport shut for a month for upgrading, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep 06/05/2019)

Choppers grounded (ht 04/05/2019)

What if? Why is it necessary for the full squadron of ministers and battalions of top ranking officers to be present at the airport for every goings and comings of VIPs?, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 04/05/2019)

‘Recent incidents reveal state of aviation safety in Nepal’, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 01/05/2019)

CAAN revokes suspension order of Capt Lama (ht 30/04/2019)

Yeti Airlines adds fourth ATR72-500 aircraft to its fleet (ht 29/04/2019)

Nepal Airlines receives fare clearance for Osaka flights, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/04/2019)

Nepal Airlines struggles to stay afloat—and it is going deeper into debt: The national flag carrier says its current cash flow, including  a sinking fund, stands only at Rs 200 million, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/04/2019)

Call to resume flights (ht 25/04/2019)

Air connectivity discussion with China in July (ht 25/04/2019)

NAC to add new flights to Delhi from May 1: Indigo Air, SpiceJet keen to add flights on DEL-KTM route (ht 24/04/2019)

Gautam Buddha airport project faces material supply problems, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 24/04/2019)

Tara Air plane suffers runway excursion: One eyewitness says a major crash was averted, by Tika Prasad Bhatta (kp 23/04/2019)

As Jet Airways comes to a halt, airfares for New Delhi take off: Officials say ticket prices for Kathmandu-New Delhi sector won’t see any drop unless other airlines dive to fill in the demand, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/04/2019)

Nijgadh Airport sees potential investors queuing up after Investment Summit, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp 22/04/2019)

Country yet to improve aviation safety (ht 22/04/2019)

Nepal Airlines grounds Chinese-made planes for lack of instructor pilot: The state-owned carrier is losing millions of rupees, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/04/2019)

Department of Immigration to install new system to check on frequent flyers, by Nayak Paudel (kp 21/04/2019) [??]

Jet Airways closure affects air travel to and from Nepal, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp 20/04/2019)

Locals lament Jumla Airport mess: Flights halted once again due to repairs, by DB Budha (rep 19/04/2019)

Construction of runway completed at Pokhara international airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/04/2019)

TIA passengers still trudge with luggage (ht 18/04/2019)

Buddha Air clarifies Minister Baskota was late for flight (ht 17/04/2019) [According to which law do planes have to wait if a politician arrieves too late at the airport!!]

Nepalgunj CAO seeks Rs 350m for upgradation (ht 17/04/2019)

NAC bungling hassles passengers at Delhi airport: Nepal Airlines Corporation did not bother to provide either accommodation or food to passengers (ht 15/04/2019)

At least three killed in Summit Air plane crash at Lukla airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/04/2019), Three killed, three injured in Lukla crash, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 14/04/2019), Three killed in Summit Air plane accident in Lukla, Nepal Police confirms (with video) (rep 14/04/2019), Flight that crashed and killed 3 in Lukla was under an inexperienced co-pilot’s command, officials say: Authorities at the regulatory body said the pilot may have allowed the co-pilot to take off because there were no passengers on board, by Sangam Prasain (kp 15/04/2019), Pilot-in-command failed to correct junior’s error, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 16/04/2019)

Lack of passengers force resumed domestic airports to close again (ht 14/04/2019)

Jet Airways abandons Kathmandu flights till May 5 (ht 13/04/2019)

At Nepal’s only international airport, it’s not just runway that needs fixing: Visitors who arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu complain of  hassles at immigration, hour-long waits for baggage and rude staff, by Thomas Heaton (kp 12/04/2019)

Why did Kathmandu airport allow FlyDubai to take off but ground Nepal Airlines? Officials don’t have a clear answer: New regulations during the runway renovation bar flights from taking off after 10pm, but officials say it is not a blanket restriction, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/04/2019)

TIA’s only café in sterile zone shut after owner held with undeclared foreign currencies, by Nayak Paudel (kp 11/04/2019)

Taplejung chopper crash: Investigation affected as probe team fails to locate equipment (ht 10/04/2019)

GBIA unlikely to start operation in 2019, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 08/04/2019)

Poor weather affects scheduled TIA flights (ht 07/04/2019)

CAAN invites fresh bids for Tribhuvan Airport expansion works, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/04/2019)

Key metrics of Nepali aviation take a nosedive: Blame falls on Civil Aviation Authority Nepal’s mismanagement, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 07/04/2019)

Nepal Airlines’ scheduled flight to Dubai refused permission to take-off: Air traffic control refuses to grant four extra minutes for take-off citing NOTAM on runway extension work (ht 04/04/2019), CAAN blames NAC for Dubai flight fiasco, by Umesh Poudel (ht 06/04/2019)

Capacity of Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport being expanded, by Mohammad Habib (rep 04/04/2019)

NAC to auction second Boeing 757 aircraft (ht 03/04/2019)

Irregular flights trouble Humla passengers (rep 02/04/2019)

Air service to Lukla to be operated from Manthali: The runway at Tribhuvan International Airport will remain open for only 14 hours daily while repairs are done to the pavement, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/04/2019)

TIA to remain shut for 10 hours daily for repairs from today, by Khilak Budhathoki (rep 01/04/2019)

Another larger terminal to be built at Bhairahawa airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 012/04/2019)

New legislation to split civil aviation body slows to crawl, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/03/2019)

Kathmandu airport runway restoration to begin Monday: This is the ‘most critical project’ that has been planned at the airport, authorities said, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/03/2019)

Disaster waiting to happen? TIA terminal building emergency exits locked!, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 26/03/2019)

AirAsia asks TIA to waive late fees worth Rs 130 million (ht 26/03/2019)

Nepal Airlines to discuss Kathmandu-Narita flights with Japanese delegation, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/03/2019)

Dynasty chopper crash: Probe marred by glaring negligence (ht 20/03/2019)

Kathmandu-bound jet avoids mid-air collision by seconds in Mumbai airspace (rep 18/03/2019)

Finance Ministry tops list of non-paying tenants at airport (kp 18/03/2019)

19 airports out of operation, by Khilik Budhathoki (rep 17/03/2019)

SilkAir changes its aircraft to Kathmandu following Singapore’s decision to halt all 737 Max 8 planes: Buddha Air, which has been exploring Max 8 for its operations out of Pokhara, says it hopes Boeing will have solved the problem by the time it is ready for jet operations, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/03/2019)

Aviation regulator announces a slew of safety measures post Air Dynasty crash, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/03/2019)

Team to look into cause of PM’s flight landing delay, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/03/2019) [This issue is not understandable: One day earlier, our flight was held in the air for about 45 minutes!!]

Thai firm wins $4.83m contract to install communications system, by Sangam Prasain (kp 08/03/2019)

Pokhara International Airport project completes apron works, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp 07/03/2019)

Pokhara Civil Aviation Authority bans solo paragliding following third crash in a week, by Deepak Pariyar (kp 06/03/2019), Successful test flights conducted in Sindhupalchok, by Anish Tiwari (kp 06/03/2019)

Civil Aviation Authority files Rs13 billion counter claim against Spanish contractor, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/03/2019)

Chopper crash to cause more difficulties to get delisted fom EU safety list (ht 02/03/2019)

The New (Sky) Silk Road To Istanbul: Turkish Airlines prepares to operate its Kathmandu link through the new hub, which will be the world’s largest airport (nt 01/03/2019)

Air Dynasty crash raises aquestion — again — why so many choppers go down in Nepal: Aviation experts lay stress on strict compliance with standard operating procedures, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/03/2019), Better safe than sorry: Weather conditions make Nepal’s airspace more challenging for pilots (kp 01/03/2019), Tragic crash: What all this points to is the amount of precautionary measures airlines must take to provide a safe journey to their passengers (ht 01/03/2019), Crash points again to lapses in air safety (rep 01/03/2019), Locals blame cloud, strong winds for chopper crash, by Khagendra Adhikari (rep 01/03/2019)

Twelve-year toll in Taplejung air crashes 31, including ministers (ht 01/03/2019)

Int'l flights affected as Pakistan closes its airspace: Flights to various Gulf destinations and Turkey use Lima 302 route (rep 01/03/2019)

Thumkidanda airport in limbo after minister’s death (ht 28/02/2019)

Chopper carrying Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari crashed in Taplejung; all seven on board killed (kp 27/02/2019), Seven including Tourism Minister Adhikari killed in Air Dynasty helicopter crash (ht 27/02/2019), Seven people, including tourism minister, killed in a helicopter crash: The chopper crashed into a cliff after entering a thick blanket of cloud, eyewitnesses say, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/02/2019), The last journey (nt 01/03/2019)

TIA runway to be closed for 10 hours every day (rep 26/02/2019), Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to finance airport improvement project, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/02/2019)

Airport parking lot was opened in haste to show progress, officials say: Authorities say a new tunnel will bring passengers relief before summer, but not everyone is hopeful, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/02/2019)

Tribhuvan International Airport posts 12 percent passenger growth in 2018, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/02/2019)

10,000-kilolitre fuel tanks to be built at Bhairahawa (kp 23/02/2019)

NAC hiring 50 pilots, aiming to operate its fleet to full capacity (rep 23/02/2019)

Airport tax money not being spent as intended: Tourism Ministry, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/02/2019)

Nepal Airlines to fly to new destinations (ht 21/02/2019)

TIA authorities allow passengers to take trolleys up to parking bay, by Umesh Poudel (ht 20/02/2019)

DPR for airport in Dhankuta prepared (ht 19/02/2019)

Govt designates restricted zones for drone flight (ht 18/02/2019)

TIA may ground Himalaya Airlines over non-payment of dues, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 18/02/2019)

European ambassadors briefed on plans to split civil aviation body, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/02/2019)

Pokhara-Jomsom flights resume after a week, by Sushil Babu Thakali (rep 15/02/2019)

NAC: From heyday to mayday, by Prabhat Chhetri (ht 11/02/2019)

Nepal Airlines to fly non-stop to Osaka from March-end, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/02/2019), March launch of nonstop Osaka service ‘unlikely but possible’, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/02/2019)

Benefit of doubt: It is surprising that US-Bangla investigation report does not say anything specific about the situation that led to its disorientation, primary reason for crash, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 09/02/2019)

Tourism Ministry, Aviation Authority cross swords over operational modalities, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/02/2019) [on Gautam Buddha International Airport]

Domestic air passenger numbers double to 7,800 daily, by Sangam Prasain (kp 05/02/2019)

NAC receives AOC for Japan flights; awaits Japanese nod, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 03/02/2019)

Passenger flow through TIA increasing each year (rep 02/02/2019)

Gautam Buddha airport project extends deadline for ground services, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/02/2019)

Six airports in southern plains can handle night flights: Bhadrapur Airport is the newest entrant; Prime Minister to inaugurate the area navigation system today, by Sangam Prasain (kp 31/01/2019) [Nothing else to do for the PM?]

Chopper firms deny involvement in rescue scam, by Sangam Prasain (kp 29/01/2019)

Pilots’ medical history in focus after fatal US-Bangla crash, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/01/2019), Loss of situational awareness of crew primary factor for crash (ht 28/01/2019)

Poor visibility affects flights at TIA for 3 hours (ht 28/01/2019)

Committee recommends immediate start of Nijgadh airport works (rep 27/01/2019)

NAC announces special promotional fare for Bangkok (rep 27/01/2019)

Making hay, our way: Probably nothing much will come out of investigations on wide-body scam. Events bear a “symbolic” and yet uncanny similarity to how Jamal Kashoggi was murdered, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 26/01/2019)

Anti-graft body opens detailed investigation on Airbus A330 deal (kp 25/01/2019

Local units okayed to issue helicopter rescue permits, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/01/2019)

Kathmandu Airport is Nepal in a microcosm: The only aerial gateway of the country leaves a first and last impression of Nepal for visitors, and it is not pleasant, by Anil Chitrakar (nt 25/01/2019)

Regular flights at Khanidanda airport halted (ht 25/01/2019)

Construction of airport in Nagidanda not feasible: Report (ht 24/01/2019)

Wide-body scam affects NAC’s image in international markets: Entrepreneurs (rep 24/01/2019)

Panel formed to probe into jet purchase deal is directionless: 19 days have passed since the probe body was formed, and it still lacks terms of reference, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 23/01/2019) [It has obviously been formed gang to prevent facts regarding a participation of leading politicians by doing nothing!]

Luggage collection at TIA a weighty woe, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 23/01/2019)

Nepal Airlines to auction last B757 after overhaul, by Sangam Prasain (kp 23/01/2019)

Nepal, India air route talks keep going round in circles, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/01/2019)

Thai firm likely to get contract for Bhairahawa airport second phase, by Sangam Prasain (kp 20/01/2019)

Buddha Air prepares international trial with Kolkata flight, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/01/2019), Buddha Air to start Kolkata flights from April 15 (rep 17/012/2019)

Helicopter country: Safety a major concern, by Narayan B.S. Dongol (ht 17/01/2019)

Nijgadh is best site for int’l airport: House panel (rep 17/01/2019), Tree cutting permit only after confirming investment: Panel, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/01/2019)

Qatar approaches Nepal to build international airport in Nijgadh: Modality for the government-to-government undertaking has yet to be finalised, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/01/2019)

Domestic airfares plunge as carriers face glut of seats, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/01/2019), Fuel surcharge down 9.6 percent (kp 14/01/2019)

Passengers’ woes begin right at TIA’s doorstep, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 14/01/2019), Passengers’ woes: Things can be improved upon greatly at the TIA by listening to the woes and concerns of the passengers as they surface (ht 15/01/2019)

Positive spin gone awry: No bureaucrat or official will have the guts to try to execute this level of fraud without political blessings from the very top, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 12/01/2019)

NAC preparing to fly to Osaka from Feb, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 12/01/2019)

Airfare lowered as NOC reduces aviation fuel price by Rs 10 (rep 12/01/2019), Airfares for domestic routes to cost less (ht 13/01/2019)

Accounts committee ignores crucial facts in aircraft purchase probe: Jitendra Dev was not the tourism minister when the first instalment was released to Airbus plane vendor, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/01/2019)

Domestic flights to be cheaper from Sunday (kp 11/01/2019)

Outbound flights from TIA delayed: Disturbance was witnessed in area control and approach control frequencies (ht 09/01/2019)

Draft bill moots creating two aviation authorities: CAAN officials have raised questions over the modality, particularly the expanded role of the government, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/01/2019)

TIA to be modified as ‘boutique’ airport (ht 07/01/2019)

Army to buy 4 choppers worth Rs 6b for VVIPs: Currently, Nepal Army has two fixed-wing planes and 12 helicopters. The army plans the number of aircraft to 31 by 2082 (rep 05/01/2019)

Keeping Nepal Airlines airworthy: Nepal’s flag carrier faces multi-pronged attacks just as it prepares to spread its wings, by Sharad Ojha (nt 04/01/2019)

More than luck in Lukla: Airport congestion and delays will get worse before they get better, by Rikki Walters (nt 04/01/2019)

Munich Airport tipped to be appointed consultant, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/01/2019)

Radar outage results in traffic chaos at TIA, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 02/01/2019)

Around Rs 4b embezzled while buying planes: House sub-panel, by Anil Giri (kp 01/01/2019), Lawmakers call for joint investigation committee, by Anil Giri (kp 02/01/2019), PAC panel faults Minister Adhikari, others in wide-body scam (rep 02/01/2019), Sub-panel recommends action against tourism minister: The PAC sub-committee was formed to look into possible anomalies in NAC’s wide-body aircraft purchase deal, by Umesh Poudel (ht 02/01/2019), Oli government faces moral quandary: While pressure mounts on the Oli government to open  a fair and comprehensive probe into the case, some  leaders from the ruling Nepal Communist Party say  the government will not take any decision in haste, by Anil Giri (kp 03/01/2019), Wide-body jet deal cost carrier Rs 4.35b in losses: KC report, by Sangam Prasain (kp 03/01/2019), Sky-high corruption: Government must take serious note of the wide-body financial irregularity (kp 03/01/2019), Cabinet forms panel to probe disputed aircraft purchase: Three-member commission set up after a parliamentary subcommittee charges sitting minister and top bureaucrats with embezzling billions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 04/01/2019), Former ministers Shahi, Dev refute their involvement in NAC irregularities (ht 04/01/2019), Panel fails to endorse subcommittee report for want of revision: Report on aircraft procurement to be endorsed after correcting three major issues, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/01/2019)

Draft Civil Aviation Bill in final stage of completion, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/01/2019)

Up, up, and away: Reflection is vital on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, by Tri Ratna Manandhar (kp 31/12/2019)

To build or not to build: If at all Nepal wants to become an air transit hub of Asia, Gautam Buddha International Airport will help us become one, by Keshav Bhattarai (rep 30/12/2018)

Decades-long legacy of TIA gradually being destroyed: Custodians of TIA have systematically decimated its original aesthetics, by Rajan Pokhrel (rep 30/12/2018)

Rumjatar folks prefer to travel by land (ht 30/12/2018)

Contractor delivers substandard work at Nijgadh airport, by Upendra Yadav (rep 29/12/2018)

Daring of non-flying hour: Half of Kathmandu was on terrace watching the B727 that was struck overhead with technical issue for hours around midnight in 1978, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 29/12/2018)

Auditor general says minister lied to House panel: Tanka Mani Sharma says Rabindra Adhikari did not consult his office before making payment for the jets, by Anil Giri (kp 27/12/2018)

Avoiding turbulence: Debates on Nijgadh airport should move beyond binaries, by Atindra Dahal (kp 26/12/2018)

Montreal Convention: Flying on the right path, by Prabhat Chhetri (ht 26/12/2018)

Pokhara International Airport: Runway, taxiway expected to be ready by mid-April 2019, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp 25/12/2018)

Domestic airlines poised to add regional aircraft: Major carriers have placed orders for regional aircraft due to a rapid rise in the number of travellers; The rise in the number of planes, coupled with  increased international flights, has put immense pressure on the country’s strained aviation infrastructure, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/12/2018)

TIA runway extension project gets go-ahead, by Sangam Prasain (kp 23/12/2018)

Fresh report may cost state coffers Rs700m: The House panel has directed Tourism Ministry to prepare a new DPR and approve it within this fiscal year, by Sangam Prasain (kp 20/12/2018)

Nijgadh International Airport: Parliamentary panel allays fears of ecological impacts (rep 20/12/2018)

‘Premature’ tender for airport expansion project cancelled: A source at the financer Asian Development Bank  said that the project called for tenders even before  the funding had been approved, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/12/2018)

Nepal’s aviation sector: Opportunities and challenges, by Mukesh Dangol (ht 19/12/2018)

CAAN must reform: CAAN needs to make drastic reforms from within to address Nepal’s air safety concerns on a par with international standard (ht 19/12/2018)

CAAN’s priorities make mockery of air safety, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 18/12/2018)

Top leaders’ silence in plane deal conspicuous: Leaders refuse to lead House sub-panels formed to probe dodgy deal, by Anil Giri (kp 16/12/2018)

Getting rubbed silently, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 15/12/2018)

Montreal Convention comes into effect in Nepal today (rep 15/12/2018), Montreal Convention comes into effect today, by Umesh Poudel (ht 15/12/2018), Nepal awaits modified Montreal Convention to domestic carriage: The MC99 came into force in Nepal on Saturday with nearly eight-fold increase in compensation for airline passenger death involving international flights, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/12/2018)

Sub-panel to probe aircraft procurement, by Anil Giri (kp 13/12/2018)

Wide-body bought without tender call: Regulator; Estimated cost based on price of 8 years ago (rep 11/12/2018), PAC serious about wide-body investigation: Chairman Shah (rep 11/12/2018)

Global bids re-invited for airport expansion project, by Sangam Prasain (kp 10/12/2018), Runway contract in limbo (kp 10/12/2018)

‘Bill to split civil aviation body to go to Parliament’: Tourism Ministry plans to introduce the Civil Aviation bill at the winter session of Parliament, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/12/2018)

Here’s everything you need to know about Nepal Airlines’ Airbus deal, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/12/2018)

On airbus scam: As a government-owned company, Nepal Airlines Corporation’s compliance with public procurement regulations has to be above suspicion, by Mukul Mishra (rep 05/12/2018), National flag carrier directed to conduct due diligence audit, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/12/2018), Minister floats idea of bringing in strategic partner for NAC (rep 06/12/2018)

Nepal Airlines, Kansai  Airport chiefs discuss Japan flights (kp 04/12/2018)

Tough take-off: Without a sound business plan, Gautam Buddha International Airport may turn into a boondoggle rather than a boon (ht 04/12/2018)

New airport in Nijgadh: We must weigh all options, by Jitendra Rana (ht 04/12/2018)

Jomsom airport runway being repaired after two decades, by Santosh Pokharel (rep 04/12/2018)

Gautam Buddha International Airport: Sustainability worries fly in the face of govt claims, by Umesh Poudel (ht 03/12/2018)

Runway extension project reassigned to Nepali firm, by Sangam Prasain (kp 02/12/2018)

Nepal still on EU air safety list: In December 5, 2013, the EC had imposed a blanket ban on all airlines from Nepal from flying into the 28-nation bloc (kp 02/12/2018), European Union ban on Nepali airlines remains even after five years, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 02/12/2018), Improve air safety: The government has no other option than to address EU’s concerns so that Nepali airlines can spread their wings far and wide (ht 03/12/2018)

Nepal, Cambodia sign maiden air service pact: The agreement will allow both countries to operate 14 weekly flights and unlimited cargo flights, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/11/2018)

Lawmakers demand detailed report about Airbus deal, by Sangam Prasain (kp 29/11/2018)

Nepal flag carriers safety audit by SKorea ‘uncertain’, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/11/2018)

Nepal Airlines urged to ensure flight regularity (ht 28/11/2018)

7 firms bid for 2nd phase of Bhairahawa airport project, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/11/2018)

Domestic air passenger traffic soars 16 percent, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/11/2018)

House panel seeks Airbus deal papers, by Sanjeeb Phuyal (kp 24/11/2018), PAC probe deepens, by Sangam Prasain (kp 26/11/2018), NAC officials dodge most PAC questions, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 16/11/2018)

Nepal, Cambodia to sign new air service agreement: Cambodian officials said they wanted to establish air links with Nepal,  particularly the upcoming Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/11/2018)

Over 3m travellers passed through TIA in 9 months, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/11/2018)

Flying on empty: Privatisation is a must to steer NAC away from turbulence (kp 19/11/2018)

Bhairahawa airport may get additional parking bays, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/11/2018)

Work for two parkways starts at airport (kp 17/11/2018), New parking bays to ease congestion at Tribhuvan Int’l Airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/11/2018)

Balloon Nepal to start commercial flights, by Krishana Prasain (kp 17/11/2018)

On the verge of ‘bankruptcy’, Nepal Airlines seeks bailout, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/11/2018), NAC seeks govt funds to cover wide-body operation losses (rep 16/11/2018), Nepal Airlines on a wing and a prayer: Turns to govt to tide over financial woes; Debt crosses Rs 32 billion (ht 16/11/2018)

Nepal Airlines to resume Osaka flights, drops Tokyo plan, by Sangam Prasain (kp 15/11/2018)

Nepal seeks access to Chinese airports, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/11/2018), China positive about allowing NAC to fly to its cities (rep 14/11/2018)

Airbus A220 jet makes maiden landing in Nepal, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/11/2018)

Nepal, Cambodia to sign air services pact (ht 13/11/2018)

Ethiopian carrier woos Nepal Airlines with tie-up offer: Ethiopian Airlines owns a fleet of 108 aircraft and serves 125 international and domestic destinations. It wants to join forces with NAC as part of  its bid to establish multiple hubs beyond the African continent, by Sangam Prasain and Anil Giri (kp 12/11/2018)

Chinese firm to rehabilitate TIA runway, taxiway: The sole international airport to be shut from 10pm to 8am daily from first week of April, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 06/11/2018)

TIA and congestion: Ways to deal with it, by Umesh Kumar Panthi (ht 05/11/2018)

At PM’s behest, aviation academy faces turbulence, by Sangam Prasain (kp 04/11/2018)

Nepal, Thailand to hike flight frequency 3-fold: Thailand, with a majority of Buddhist population, is keen to connect Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 01/11/2018)

Jumla Airport closed for locals, not for minister, by DB Budha (rep 01/11/2018)

Paving work on runway at Bhairahawa airport starts, by Sangam Prasain and Amrita Anmol (kp 31/10/2018), Tourism minister assures GBIA runway will be ready in 6 months, by Mohammad Habib (rep 31/10/2018)

The sky is the limit: India’s refusal to grant two-way western air routes is a barrier for Nepali airlines, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (kp 30/10/2018)

Families of plane crash victims to get $158,565: Nepal becomes the 135th member to ratify the Montreal Convention at ICAO, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/10/2018)

Immigration services need to improve, says minister: Home Secretary Rai says immigration system at TIA will be operated through modern technology within a month (ht 27/10/2018)

Spreading the wingsNAC’s plane purchase, by Sugat Ratna Kansakar (ht 25/10/2018)

Himalaya begins direct flights to Chongqing (kp 23/10/2018)

Private airlines yet to start flights to Ramechhap (ht 16/10/2018)

Nepal-India air route talks: India makes U-turn; Entry points from Nepalgunj and L626 were ‘denied for defence and traffic issues respectively’, by Sangam Prasain (kp 15/10/2018)

Flight to Sanfebagar resumes after 13 years, by Khamma Khatri (rep 15/10/2018)

Airport construction picks pace (ht 15/10/2018)

Chinese firm wins TIA rehab project (kp 14/10/2018)

The ultimate backup: Concerns have been growing that airline pilots’ basic stick, rudder and energy management skills have weakened with automation, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 13/10/2018)

AirAsia suspends its flight to Nepal from today (ht 13/10/2018), TIA to seek IATA’s help to collect dues from AirAsia: The Malaysian low-cost airline, which stopped flights to Nepal on October 13, has yet to pay Rs 130 million, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 31/10/2018)

Buddha Air announces divestment programme (kp 11/10/2018)

Nijgadh airport project will spell disaster, warn conservationists, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/10/2018), Forest Ministry says ‘no need to obstruct Nijgadh project’ (kp 12/10/2018)

Rumjatar airport to resume flight service (kp 08/10/2018)

Air entry routs: CAAN team to visit Delhi to resume talks (kp 08/10/2018)

NAC resumes Lukla flight (kp 07/10/2018)

NAC postpones relaunch of Japan service till Nov (kp 01/10/2018)

Plan afoot to convert Nepal Airlines Corporation into a company (kp 30/09/2018)

House panel to probe Airbus purchase deal, by Sanjeev Giri (kp 28/09/2018), Nepal Airlines flouted own laws, says Auditor general (kp 29/09/2018)

US-Bangla applies for TIA slot after crash (kp 27/09/2018)

AirAsia X told to clear dues by Oct 5: The carrier owes Rs 170 million to TIA in service charge and fines (ht 27/09/2018)

Nepal Airlines gearing up to resume flights to remote locations before Dashain (ht 27/09/2018)

NAC conducts successful Lukla test flight of Y12e aircraft (kp 26/09/2018)

Gautam Buddha Airport: Bids invited for second phase of project; The airport will be equipped with an Instrument Landing System which allows approaches and landings even in poor weather conditions (kp 24/09/2018)

International flying rules relaxed for domestic carriers (kp 23/09/2018)

Economy & ecology of Nijgad airport: Preserving native forest has dominated debate over Nepal’s fourth international airport, it should be about economic viability, by Om Astha Rai (nt 21/09/2018), Folly at Nijgadh: The gigantic airport can be built in non-ecological zones instead of dense Sal forests, by Roshan Sharma (kp 23/09/2018), People with vested interests ‘oppose airport in Nijgadh' (kp 24/09/2018), Carbon credit earnings under cloud: Nepal may lose Rs 231.4 bn worth of absorbed carbon for building Nijgad airport, by Rewati Sapkota (ht 25/09/2018)

Yeti Airlines brings third ATR 72-500 (rep 19/09/2018)

Civil aviation grounds aircraft as pilot fails to report bird hit (kp 18/09/2018)

Government revives dual power system at NAC: The Cabinet meeting on Sunday appointed Madan Kharel as the executive chairman (kp 18/09/2018), Madan Kharel appointed executive chairman of NAC: Sugat Ratna Kansakar stripped of executive powers, by Arpana Ale Magar [rep 18/09/2018)

SKorea to conduct safety audit of NAC, TIA: Plans afoot to start regular flights to Incheon Int’l Airport (ht 17/09/2018)

CIAA starts probe into Nepal Airlines’ aircraft purchase misconduct, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 15/09/2018)

Wide-body aircraft bleeding NAC white, by Umesh Poudel (rep 15/09/2018)

Flight of fancy: There is a good scope for bringing overflying traffic using Nepali airspace while flying L626/B345 to head north, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 15/09/2018)

Forest for the trees: Nijgadh Airport, while necessary, should not come at the cost of the environment (kp 14/09/2018), Environmentalists decry Nijgadh airport project at cost of wildlife, forest: As per the Environment and Social Impact Assessment report, nearly 770,000 trees would be chopped down during the first phase, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/09/2018), CAAN asks activists not to scuttle Nijgadh airport project (rep 15/09/2018), Nijgadh Airport to consider environment issue: Minister, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/09/2018), Despite govt commitment, environment experts skeptical about Nijgadh airport (rep 16/09/2018), 763,480 trees to be cut for Nijgadh airport (ht 16/09/2018), Reforestation criteria not ready yet (rep 17/09/2018), Nijgadh airport must be built (rep 17/09/2018)

SalamAir commences flights to Nepal (ht 12/09/2018), Salam Air launches Kathmandu flights (kp 14/09/2018)

Second international airport: Nod to fell 2.45 million trees to be sought, by Rewati Sapkota (ht 11/09/2018)

Airport closed for a month (kp 10/09/2018)

Six killed in Mailung helicopter crash : One woman passenger miraculously survives, by Suraj Kunwar and Nayak Paudel (kp 09/09/2018), Six killed, one critically injured in Nuwakot chopper crash, by Sarita Shrestha and Bhagwati Lama (rep 09/09/2018), The plights of northern Gorkha: Locals have no option other than taking dangerous helicopter flights, by Narahari Sapkota (rep 10/09/2018), Aviation concerns (ht 10/09/2018)

Carriers cutting corners: Aviation regulators must monitor the financial health of airlines to ensure air safety, by Subarna Raj Bhattarai (kp 09/09/2018)

TIA welcomes 2.15million passengers in first half (kp 08/09/2018)

EC unhappy over delay in creating law to split CAAN (kp 07/09/2018)

BB Airways seeks permit to scrap its Boeing 757 (kp 05/09/2018)

Air travel soars on cheaper tickets, richer travellers: According to TIA, packed domestic flights carried 1.31m travellers in the first six months (kp 04/09/2018)

AirAsia to suspend Nepal flights (ht 03/09/2018)

Yeti plane skids off runway (kp 02/09/2018)

Gautam Buddha International Airport: Airport ‘unlikely’ to be complete by July 2019 (kp 02/09/2018)

Qatar Airways adds flight after extension of TIA hours, ba Arpana Ale Magar (rep 02/09/2018)

Expressions of interest to be called for Nijgadh airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/08/2018)

TIA’s flight schedule to be affected (ht 28/08/2018), Air traffic movement to be affected for 4 days (kp 29/08/2018)

US-Bangla plane crash: Pilot was mentally stressed and reckless: New report by Nepali investigators says the captain’s past behaviour should have been a warning sign, by Sangam Prasain (kp 27/08/2018)

Parliament ratifies MC99: The Montreal Convention 1999 stipulates higher compensation for accidents involving int’l flights, by Sangam Prasain (kp 24/08/2018)

National flag carrier to bring in more tourists (ht 22/08/2018)

A game changer: New international airport will be crucial to the tourism and economic development of Pokhara, by Sagar Gurung (kp 21/08/2018)

Expensive travel: Hike in fuel surcharge pushes up airfares (kp 21/08/2018)

Runway to be closed for 10 hours daily for repairs (kp 20/08/2018)

Work on Gautam Buddha International Airport sluggish, by Binod Pariyar (rep 20/08/2018), Bring GBIA into operation within this fiscal year, tourism minister tells CAAN (rep 20/08/2018)

Air Asia X flight halted for non payments (kp 19/08/2018), Air Asia X refutes TIA’s claim of deferring due payments (kp 22/08/2018)

Army to receive four US-granted aircraft by 2020: Nepal Army personnel are already being trained to operate Sky Trucks (kp 18/08/2018)

CAAN allots Rs 151m for bonus payments (kp 17/08/2018) [??]

Helicopter operations safety requirements blissfully ignored, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 17/08/2018)

Of planes and pachyderms: The proposed Nijgadh Airport infuriated development activists and environmental activists, by Chandra Mani Aryal (kp 15/08/2018)

CAAN passes Rs45b budget with largest chunk for infra (kp 15/08/2018)

Shree Airlines gets nod to add three new Bombardier aircraft (kp 13/08/2018)

Bhairahawa airport may be operated by private sector: According to the Tourism Ministry officials, private capital in airports around the world has delivered significant benefits for passengers, airlines and the government (kp 12/08/2018)

ICAO  to help Nepal’s aviation regulator with research, development (kp 09/08/2018)

$28m TIA runway rehab project stirs back to life, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/08/2018)

Jumla remains disconnected from province capital, by DB Budha (rep 04/08/2018)

A double whammy: Hopes of seeing RA’s domestic front invigorated has sadly turned sour, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 04/08/2018)

Gautam Buddha Airport to have 16 parking bays (kp 03/08/2018)

FinMin stresses timely completion of GBIA (ht 03/08/2018)

Domestic terminal to open an hour earlier from Sept 1 (kp 02/08/2018)

Thai Lion Air begins Nepal flights (kp 02/08/2018)

NAC to add 13 large aircraft (ht 02/08/2018), NAC to place order for eight aircraft by mid-May next year (rep 03/08/2018)

NAC’s A330 to make maiden flight today (kp 01/08/2018), NAC enters wide-body era: First A330-200 makes maiden flight; takes 258 passengers to Doha (rep 02/08/2018)

Nijgadh airport must be built (rep 01/08/2018)

Peeling TIA pitch risks accidents, by Umesh Poudel (ht 01/08/2018)

Environmental issues dog Nijgadh airport now (rep 31/07/2018)

Hitting turbulence: Nepal Airlines Corporation’s aircraft will become a white elephant if the management fails to improve its efficiency (ht 31/07/2018)

Annapurna gets green light for commercial operations (kp 30/07/2018)

NAC’s wide body planes create chaos at TIA, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 30/07/2018)

MoCTCA proposes paid-up capital hike for airlines, reclassification of aircraft (ht 30/07/2018)

Fly Dubai pilot Hussain found tipsy (kp 30/07/2018)

Lamidanda Airport: Only 60% work completed, deadline expired in January (rep 29/07/2018)

NAC’s image dives further due to inefficient management, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 29/07/2018)

Challenges galore as TIA extends operation (ht 28/07/2018)

CAAN unveils five-year aviation safety plan (ht 27/07/2018)

Nepal Airlines’ 2nd Airbus A300-200 arrives today (kp 26/07/2018), NAC's second wide-body jet arriving today (rep 26/07/2018), High in the sky: As NAC is poised to enter a new era, it should clean up its tarnished image (kp 27/07/2018), NAC's second wide-body jet lands in Kathmandu: The Airbus A330-200 is expected to start commercial operation by September (rep 27/07/2018)

Terms of reference for airlines revised (kp 26/07/2018)

Significant progress made in improving Nepal's aviation safety: CAAN (ht 25/07/2018)

NAC to conduct ‘proving’ flight of its A330 today (kp 23/07/2018)

Gautam Buddha int’l airport: Airport project makes visible progress, ADB likely to rejoin (kp 22/07/2018)

Tara Air adds new aircraft to its fleet (kp 22/07/2018)

Talking big, talking loud: People in the West consider anything at or above 55 db as too noisy. We have no such standard as concerned agencies are bent on bringing in more flights, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 21/07/2018)

Construction of Thamkhara airport delayed (rep 21/07/2018)

PM Oli observes Pokhara Airport:  Prime Minister Oli pledges all possible support from his government to bring the airport into operation by July 2021 (kp 20/07/2018)

Nepal-India codeshare deal awaits Cabinet OK: Nepal and India signed a revised ASA in 2010 but it does not permit codesharing; The Nepali delegation led by Tourism Joint SecretarySuresh Acharya had signed the pact without getting the Cabinet’s go-ahead in December 2016 (kp 20/07/2018)

Nepal advances to be part of Montreal Convention: The convention stipulates higher compensation for accidents, flight/cargo delays and damages involving international flights than that prescribed by the Warsaw Convention, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/07/2018)

Runway cracks raise safety concern at TIA, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 12/07/2018)

NAC to loosen purse strings: to recruit foreign pilots: May offer a monthly pay package of $18,000 for a foreign captain and $12,000 for co-pilot (kp 11/07/2018), NAC hiring 28 foreign pilots (rep 11/07/2018)

NAC mulls strategic shift to rake in profits (ht 11/07/2018)

Buddha Air receives permission to fly to New Delhi from Nepalgunj (rep 08/07/2018)

Small bug, big lesson, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 07/07/2018)

Nepal Airlines to resume Japan service in Sept (kp 05/07/2018)

Hundreds stuck in Simikot as bad weather affects flights (rep 03/07/2018), Bad weather affects flights (ht 03/07/2018), Movement of stranded Indian pilgrims resumes, by Sangam Prasain and Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 04/07/2018), Over 500 pilgrims await flights, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp 05/07/2018), 370 Indian pilgrims airlifted to Nepalgunj, by Jaya Bahadur Rokaya (kp 06/07/2018)

Debt load, pilot shortage threaten NAC’s growth (kp 02/07/2018)

New planes to increase NAC’s global presence (ht 02/07/2018)

Helicopter crash-lands at Kathmandu-based Grande Int’l Hospital (reo 01/07/2018)

Lack of direct air connectivity stifling Sri Lanka-Nepal tourism (rep 30/06/2018)

Domestic, international operations of NAC to be split, by Umesh Poudel (ht 30/06/2018)

Buddha Air begins scheduled flights to Varanasi (rep 30/06/2018). Buddha Air begins Ktm-Varanasi flight (kp 01/07/2018)

NAC’s long-awaited Airbus A330 airliner arrives today, by Sangam Prasain (kp 28/06/2018), NAC takes delivery of its first Airbus A330 (kp 29/06/2018), NAC’s first wide-body jet lands in Kathmandu: Second aircraft arriving in a month and a half, by Susheel Bhattarai (kp 29/06/2018), Flying high: Additional aircraft in the fleet may take NAC to soaring heights, but only if the company is managed well (ht 29/06/2018)

Swiss pilot’s license revoked over safety negligence, by Susheel Bhattarai (rep 28/06/2018)

Govt plans to bring in strategic financial partner for NAC (ht 28/06/2018)

CAAN invites bids to extend taxiway at TIA (kp 27/06/2018)

Air, ground traffic halts for VVIP movement anger public, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 27/06/2018) [Royal behaviour in a republican state!]

12-member team off to Toulouse to take delivery of wide-body aircraft, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 26/06/2018)

Bhimeshwar Municipality takes initiatives to build airport in Charikot, by Ramesh Khatiwada (rep 26/06/2018)

Nepal Airlines seeks Rs 5b to buy 6 Twin Otter planes: The plane is a 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada (kp 25/06/2018)

NAC asks CAAN to allow tainted pilot to fly, by Susheel Bhattarai (rep 25/06/2018)

No takers yet for midnight slots at TIA: Qatar Airways will apply for midnight slot once head office gives the go ahead: Country Manager, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 25/06/2018)

Buddha Air applies for Nepalgunj-Delhi flight (rep 24/06/2018)

In bits and pieces: Nepal’s next pursuit should be Himalaya-2. For this, China has to open up new airways and India should be more accommodating, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 23/06/2018)

Rajbiraj airport to resume regular flights (ht 23/06/2018), Rajbiraj Airport begins commercial operations (kp 25/06/2018)

‘EU will remove Nepal from aviation safety list’ (ht 23/06/2018)

Agitation halted after CAAN sends Rs 2bn (ht 21/06/2018)

Construction resumes at Gautam Buddha airport (ht 21/06/2018)

Clarion calls to relocate airport fuel storage tanks (kp 20/06/2018)

Work on Gautam Buddha Int’l Airport gaining pace, by Rekha Bhusal (rep 19/06/2018)

Nepal Airlines Corp seeks labour permits for three foreign flight instructors (ht 19/06/2018), NAC looks abroad to fill shortage of pilots, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/06/2018)

Nepal, Japan likely to sign revised ASA today, by Sangam Prasain (kp 18/06/2018), Nepal, Japan sign pact for 14 weekly flights: The deal allows Nepali carriers to fly to any airport in Japan, except Haneda Airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/06/2018), Nepal, Japan sign amended ASA: Nepali airlines granted 'fifth freedom' in revised pact, by Umesh Poudel (ht 19/06/2018), New air routes not enough, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 21/06/2018)

Plane veers off runway at Pokhara Airport, passengers safe, by Rishi Baral (ht 17/06/2018)

Shree Airlines to begin KTM-Rajbiraj flights from June 24 (rep 16/06/2018)

Let’s spread our wings: The agenda for the Nepal-India aviation meeting should include the Himalaya Route, by Tri Ratna Manandhar (kp 14/06/2018), Breakthrough expected in Nepal-India air route talks (kp 15/06/2018), Nepal to get 4 new air gateways, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/06/2018), India permits new air entry routes over Biratnagar, Janakpur: No permission yet for high altitute routes over Nepalgunj, Mahendranagar, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 17/06/2018), The India connection: The opening of four new air routes is welcome news but implementation is key (kp 18/06/2018)

NAC can’t find pilots to fly Chinese planes: The planes have been sitting idle at a hangar in TIA for the past 5 months (kp 14/06/2018)

NAC prepares to buy two Airbus A320neo aircraft: The two jets are expected to cost $120 million; NAC preparing the bidding documents (kp 13/06/2018), NAC board okays purchase of two narrow-body Airbus aircraft (ht 13/06/2018)

Home Minister directs for uninterrupted power supply to TIA (rep 13/06/2018)

Rajbiraj flights unlikely from June 15 (ht 13/06/2018)

Montreal convention: Bill on higher air crash payout sent to Cabinet (kp 12/06/2018)

ICAO honoring Nepal for its efforts to improve aviation safety (rep 11/06/2018)

Tara Air plane survives tyre burst landing at Jumla Airport (kp 10/06/2018), Tara Air plane’s disaster averted, by DB Budha (rep 10/06/2018)

Civil aviation report riles Pokhara folks (ht 09/06/2018)

Quiet moment at Bhattedanda, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 09/06/2018)

Nepal-India talks on air routes next week, by Sangam Prasain (kp 07/06/2018)

TIA’s extended operation yet to show results, by Umesh Poudel (ht 07/06/2018)

Airfares hit record high as carriers hike fuel surcharge, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/06/2018)

NA Airbus 320 grounded (ht 06/06/2018)

CAAN decides to fire no-show Chinese contractor of TIA: Shanxi Construction Engineering Group of China had been contracted to extend the runway by 300 metres at its southern end (kp 05/06/2018)

‘First flight with new plane to Dubai on Aug 1’ (ht 05/06/2018), NAC told to fly to all destinations (ht 05/06/2018)

Tara Air test flight successful in Ilam (ht 05/06/2018), Tara Air successfully conducts test flight at Sukilumba airport, by Bhim Chapagain (rep 05/06/2018)

Buddha Air’s plan to link KEP-DEL elates locals (kp 05/06/2018)

‘NAC should buy six Twin Otter planes’ (kp 04/06/2018)

Domestic airfares could increase (ht 04/06/2018), Domestic airlines hike fuel surcharge, by Susheel Bhattarai (rep 04/06/2018)

Gautam Buddha international airport project: Bids for airport navigation services likely this month (kp 03/06/2018)

Does Nepal need a 4th international airport?, by Om Astha Rai (nt 01/06/2018)

Buddha Air plans ATR 72 Nepalgunj-Delhi service (kp 28/05/2018), Nepalgunj-Delhi flight expected to boost tourism in mid-west: Buddha Air has set a target of bringing 70,000 Indian tourists annually (rep 29/05/2018)

Unorganized management of TIA causing air traffic congestion, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 28/05/2018)

Aviation safety continues to be neglected, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 27/05/2018)

Landowners receive compensation for second int'l airport construction (rep 27/05/2018)

Test flight successful at Sanfebagar airport (ht 26/05/2018)

EIA report of Nijgadh Airport okayed (ht 26/05/2018)

Perennial disorder: Was it safe to fly the aircraft with only one generator working? Was it not a case of an unwarranted complacency doing so?, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 26/05/2018)

Policy Failure: Nepal’s Civil Aviation policy is responsible for a number of plane crashes in remote Nepal (sp 25/05/2018)

$1.21b Nijgadh Int’l Airport project cleared for takeoff, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/05/2018)

Plans afoot for ‘fuel hydrant system' in TIA, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 25/05/2018)

Process of splitting CAAN in limbo (ht 25/05/2018)

Rajbiraj airport gets rolling after successful test flight (ht 24/05/2018), CAAN conducts successful test flight at Rajbiraj airport: Locals elated to see plane at the airfield after a decade (rep 24/05/2018), Rajbiraj Airport resumes operations after a decade: The airport is expected to see regular flights after 15 days as the air traffic control tower and terminal has yet to be completed (kp 25/05/2018)

NAC’s Chinese planes may remain in hangar indefinitely (kp 23/05/2018)

Two international airports in three years (rep 22/05/2018)

TIA to remain open 21 hours a day from today, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/05/2018), TourMin: Our objective is to keep TIA open 24/7, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/05/2018), TIA officially starts operating 21 hours a day (ht 22/05/2018)

Airlines to pay for flight schedule change (ht 21/05/2018)

Dangerous skies: Nepal should particularly strive for exceptional air safety standards given the tough terrain (kp 18/05/2018)

Kavre's Nagidanda identified for airport construction (ht 18/05/2018), Nagidanda named best spot for new domestic airport (kp 20/05/2018)

Rajbiraj Airport test flight grounded, by Abdesh Kumar Jha (kp 17/05/2018)

Pilot duo dead as Makalu Air’s cargo plane crashes in Humla, by Prakash Singh (ht 16/05/2018), Two killed in Simikot cargo plane crash: The plane was carrying 1,170kg of cargo, which according to Caan, is the permissible limit, by Sangam Prasain (kp 17/05/2018)

DPR study of SIA to begin next fiscal (ht 15/05/2018)

More air entry routes from India sought (ht 14/05/2018)

Visitors pose challenge to airport security, by Sabita Shrestha (rep 14/05/2018)

Spheres for course correction: With his Indian counterpart, Nepali PM should take up the issue of additional checks by Indian security officers at TIA. No such arrangement exists anywhere in the world, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 12/05/2018)

NAC to bid farewell to last of its Boeings, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/05/2018)

ATC shortage likely to hit TIA’s plan to operate services for 21 hours daily , by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 11/05/2018)

TourMin to invite domestic airlines to go international (kp 10/05/2018)

DoI seeks to instal biometric e-gates at TIA (ht 09/05/2018)

Reducing refuelling delays: Tribhuvan Int’l Airport gets advanced tanker (kp 07/05/2018)

40 foreign investors keen to build Nijgadh airport, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/05/2018)

Nepal moves to ratify Montreal Convention: The convention imposes a minimum liability of nearly $113,000  Special Drawing Rights, equivalent to $169,000, for each passenger (kp 04/05/2018)

Reopening of airfields, launch of new routes elate airlines (rep 03/05/2018)

Plan to build airfield in Kavre likely to be okayed (kp 02/05/2018), Minister inspects potential airport sites (ht 02/05/2018)

Nepal prods India for new air routes, by Sangam Prasain (kp 30/04/2018), Well-connected: Air routes must be a key agenda during Indian PM’s visit if new international airports are to be feasible (kp 01/05/2018)

Call to resume air service to hilly districts from Biratnagar, by Binod Subedi (rep 29/04/2018)

Runway extension plan goes haywire after contractor flees (kp 28/04/2018)

It’s logistics, stupid: There must be some minimum list of equipments and items that a functioning airport needs to have in place at all time, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 28/04/2018)

TIA to come into operation for 21 hours a day from May 21, by Susheel Bhattarai (rep 28/04/2018)

NAC’s new Airbus A330-200 likely to arrive on June 27 (kp 27/04/2018)

Fired Spanish contractor seeks $101m from CAAN (kp 25/04/2018)

Buddha Air to add another plane to fleet (kp 25/04/2018)

Malindo Air incident raises serious concerns, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 25/04/2018)

High-level committee formed to expedite construction of int’l airport in Nijgadh (ht 25/04/2018), Finalise modality: The government must finalise the modality at the earliest for the construction of Nijgadh International Airport to take off (ht 26/04/2018)

Learn the lesson: Govt must be serious about building an international airport in Nijgadh (kp 24/04/2018)

Malindo Air Boeing 737 aborts takeoff, swerves off runway, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/04/2018), Malaysian jet skids off TIA runway, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 21/04/2018), TIA resumes operation after Malaysian aircraft sliding off runway towed to repair, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 21/04/2018)

Rajbiraj Airport to resume flights soon (ht 21/04/2018), Rajbiraj Airport ready to welcome flights on May 3, by Abdesh Kumar Jha (kp 22/04/2018)

NAC Filling Seats: Despite shortfall of aircraft, NAC has drastically increased share in international flights with 78 per cent occupancy (sp 20/04/2018)

Nepal seeks Chinese help for gainful aircraft operation (kp 18/04/2018)

TIA to operate services for 21 hrs daily: Minister Adhikari (ht 18/04/2018), TIA to operate 21 hours a day from May 21 to handle more flights, by Sangam Prasain (kp 19/04/2018)

‘ADB will consider supporting Bhairahawa airport’, interview with Wencai Zhang (kp 16/04/2018)

Rajbiraj Airport runway finally constructed (ht 16/04/2018)

Thai Lion Air to start Nepal flights next month: Thai Lion has received permission to operate seven weekly flights (kp 15/04/2018)

NAC breached law in procurement of wide-body jets: OAG (rep 15/04/2018)

Team submits preliminary report of US Bangla crash (rep 14/04/2018), US-Bangla Crash: Probe panel keeps factual info under wraps, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 18704/2018)

Options required: The Nijgadh airport, planned to relieve air traffic at  Kathmandu, is years behind in development, by Ashish Gajurel (kp 13/04/2018)

Govt forms ‘think-tank’ of civil aviation experts (ht 11/04/2018)

US-Bangla plane crash: No initiative taken to compensate victims’ families, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 10/04/2018)

TIA to operate 21 hours: CAAN allocates Rs 100 million for renovation TIA runway, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 10/04/2018)

Facilities ‘spruced up’ at TIA: While airport officials seem content with their work, travellers say more needs to be done (kp 10/04/2018)

Domestic air passenger movement up 39.47 percent in 2017, by Sangam Prasain (kp 09/04/2018)

Triyuga Municipality proposes river land for Sagarmatha Airport, by Maheshwor Chamling Rai (rep 08/04/2018)

NAC operating international flights with 78 per cent occupancy (ht 07/04/2018)

Tourism Ministry to buy Nijgadh airport report (kp 05/04/2018)

Buddha Air successfully conducts Surkhet-Kathmandu test flight (ht 04/04/2018)

Fewer fuel trucks compounding flight delays at TIA, by Dilip Paudel (rep 04/04/2018)

NAC signing Total Care contract with Rolls-Royce: Rolls-Royce will look after overall maintenance of wide-body engines (rep 04/04/2018)

NAC board begins talks on buying Twin Otter aircraft (kp 03/04/2018)

Civil aviation minister says TIA improvement major concern (rep 31/03/2018)

US-Bangla plane crash insurance: Each victim may get up to Rs20m (kp 31/03/2018)

TIA runway extension project unravels again: The plan is to lengthen the runway by 300 metres at the southern end (kp 30/03/2018)

Off-the-cuff solution: Why was aircraft not told firmly to make a missed approach rather than letting it hold dangerously at very low altitude?, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 31/03/2018)

BB Airways will have to wait until new airport is ready (kp 29/03/2018)

Let the probe panel decide: Congestion and lack of infrastructure had nothing to do with the crash of Flight 211, by Tri Ratna Manandhar (kp 28/03/2018), US-Bangla crash hints at glaring safety issues, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 28/03/2018)

Don’t walk away: The ADB should not abandon Gautam Buddha International Airport Project (kp 27/03/2018)

‘TIA should operate round-the-clock’ (ht 26/03/2018), TIA starts preparations to expand hours of operation, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep 29/03/2018)

Bhairawa International Airport: ADB delegation tells project contractor to expedite work (ht 25/03/2018), Sept 2019 deadline set for Bhairahawa airport (kp 26/03/2018)

NAC’s new Airbus jet set to arrive in early June (kp 24/03/2018)

Flights to Lukla planned thru Biratnagar, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 24/03/2018)

Locals encroach on airport land to construct houses (ht 24/03/2018)

Kailash Helicopter Services begins operations from today (ht 24/03/2018)

Himalaya Airlines turns sights northward (kp 22/03/2018)

Probe into US-Bangla plane crash snail-paced (ht 21/03/2018)

Finalisation of Nijgadh airport plan ‘this month’: Type of financial and construction modality has been changing with every government (kp 20/03/2018)

Balewa Airport of Baglung set to reopen Friday, by Sangam Gharti Magar (rep 20/03/2018)

Yeti Airlines plane suffers wheel lock (kp 19/03/2018), Close call for Yeti Airlines aircraft (ht 19/03/2018)

Rajbiraj Airport runway black-topping expedited (ht 19/03/2018)

The void in the middle: B757 was popular because of the combination of brute takeoff power topped by versatility and economics of operation with sleek architecture, by Hemant Arjyal (rep 17/03/2018)

‘Autopsy of 34 crash victims complete’ (kp 16/03/2018)

Families may miss out on fair compensation: Nepal government’s tardiness has prevented the families of the crash victims from receiving compensation up to Rs15.13 million per passenger, by Sangam Prasain (kp 16/03/2018), Pay the compensation: If any passenger gets injured or dies owing to crash, victim or victim’s family can claim compensation from the air carrier, by Raisul Sourav (rep 17/03/2018), Delay in signing Montreal Convention affects air crash compensation (rep 17/03/2018)

NTWC raises air cargo service fees (ht 16/03/2018), NTWC revises air cargo warehouse charges (ht 22/03/2018)

Lack of ILS localiser on northern side of TIA puts lives at risk, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 15/03/2018)

TIA closure underscores need of second international airport (rep 13/03/2018)

49 dead in US-Bangla plane crash at Kathmandu airport (kp 12/03/2018), US-Bangla aircraft crash through the lenses (ht 12/03/2018), Bangladeshi plane crashes in Nepal, killing at least 49 (ht 12/03/2018), Air disaster, by Dipendra Rokka (With photo and video) (rep 12/03/2018), At least 49 die in plane crash: 22 including 11 Nepalis survive the horror, by Sangam Prasain (kp 13/02/2018), Crash survivor narrates horror from hospital bed: A group of Nepali travel agents’ awards ceremony joy ends in tragedy (kp 13/03/2018), ‘People were burning, shouting and falling down. It was horrific’, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht 12/03/2018), Confusion in cockpit over runway, by Kanak Mani Dixit (rep 13/03/2018), 'The plane exploded like a bomb before my eyes' (rep 13/03/2018), What caused 211’s crash?, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/03/2018), Aftermath of tragedy: While probe will provide answers on plane crash, adherence to procedure was lacking (kp 14/03/2018), Death toll from US-Bangla plane crash hits 51National Human Rights Commission concerned about country’s poor aviation safety record (ht 14/03/2018), Govt lauds rescue efforts after crash, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 14/03/2018), CAAN denies ATC at fault for plane crash (rep 14/03/2018), Doctors to conduct toxicology tests on crew members, by Manish Gautam (kp 15/03/2018), Tragedy at TIA, by Kanak Mani Dixit (nt 16/03/2018), More lives could have been saved after TIA plane crash?, by Rajan Pokhrel (ht 17/03/2018)

TIA handled over 10,000 travellers daily in 2017: A record 3.88 million passengers passed through TIA, registering a 10.74 percent growth, by Sangam Prasain (kp 12/03/2018)

CAAN bars Awale from flying planes, by Susheel Bhattarai (rep 12/03/2018)

CAAN to fill budget shortfall at TIA (kp 09/03/2018)

Air Asia X given extra time by TIA to pay dues: Two senior officials of Air Asia X are currently in Nepal for talks after TIA issued an ultimatum to clear the dues by Tuesday or cease Nepal operations (kp 07/03/2018), AirAsia X given four more months to settle dues of TIA, by Susheel Bhattarai (rep 11/03/2018)

Landing rights at any airport except Haneda, says Japan: Haneda Airport, the busiest airport by passenger traffic in Japan, is the fifth busiest  airport in the world (kp 05/03/2018)

NAC prepares to fly to Osaka, Incheon, Riyadh (kp 28/02/2018)

7% work at Pokhara international airport completed in 3 months, by Santosh Pokharel and Bishan Kshetri (rep 28/02/2018)

300m TIA runway extension project yet to take off: Package 1 contract was awarded to the Chinese company last October, but it has not yet mobilized workers. The duration of the runway extension project is 21 months (kp 27/02/2018)

Gautam Buddha int’l airport: Project progress ‘slow but steady’ (kp 24/02/2018)

Buddha Air to set course for the wild sky yonder (kp 24/02/2018)

Chinese planes sit idle as NAC looks for pilots (kp 23/02/2018)

Grounded NAC plane likely to resume flights on Thursday (kp 22/02/2018

Too many cooks spoil Nijgadh airport broth (kp 21/02/2018)

Sita Air plane does safe landing with one engine out, by Susheel Bhattarai (kp 21/02/2018)

TIA to add 4 parking bays: ‘The construction is expected to be completed within next six months’ (kp 20/02/2018)

Works at Bhairahawa international airport fail to gather pace, by Amrita Anmol (kp 18/02/2018)

BB Airways faces tough time flying NAC-auctioned Boeing (kp 17/02/2018)

Air jam: Congestion at Kathmandu airport due to delayed expansion is choking Nepal's economy, by Om Astha Rai (nt 16/02/2018)

No pilots: Chinese planes to sit idle: The Y12e made by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group are scheduled to land at Tribhuvan International Airport at 2 pm on Tuesday (kp 13/02/2018) [Obviously, the managers of NAC are an incompetent lot!]

Weather plays foul with flights: Domestic, international carriers couldn’t fly or land (ht 13/02/2018)

Nepal-India air routes plan fails to take off (kp 12/02/2018)

VOR-DME to be installed at Dhangadi airport (ht 11/02/2018)

Rajbiraj airport will resume operation in April: Minister, by Jitendra Kumar Jha (rep 11/02/2018)

NAC aircraft heads to S’pore for repairs: The aircraft had been stranded at New Delhi, India for nearly one and a half months due to one of its engines being damaged (kp 10/02/2018)

Pokhara Int’l Airport project achieves 8 percent progress, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp 09/02/2018)

TourMin, CAAN lock horns over int’l flying licences (kp 07/02/2018)

CAAN allocates Rs1b for TIA runway renovation (kp 05/02/2018), Airport: Proposed rehabilitation of battered runway at Nepal’s only international airport is good news (kp 06/02/2018)

Thick fog halts flights at Dhangadhi Airport: in 2014, airlines cancelled 12,675 flights, most of them due to bad weather conditions during winter, which led to losses in the millions, by Mohan Budhyar (kp 05/02/2018)

Airlines hike fuel surcharge (kp 03/02/2018)

Mouse on a plane grounds NAC Bangalore flight (ht 02/02/2018)