KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29

The government of Nepal is taking steps to enter into bilateral air services agreements with three nations, including Switzerland, in a bid to expand Nepal's international flight connectivity.

As per the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Nepal has already successfully signed bilateral air services agreements with 40 countries, with Australia being the most recent addition. The government has completed the necessary paperwork to add Switzerland, Indonesia, and Rwanda to this list.

Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, the Civil Aviation Division Chief and Joint Secretary at the Ministry, mentioned that they anticipate the draft agreements to be endorsed by the Council of Ministers shortly. Following that, they will decide on the location and timing for the formal signing of these agreements.

It's worth noting that Nepal and Switzerland initially agreed to bilateral air connectivity during the 41st Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly held from September 27 to October 7, 2022, in Montreal, Canada.

Both countries have taken steps towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard, as confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Nepal is also exploring the possibility of MoUs for air connectivity with various other nations, including Indonesia.

Bilateral aviation agreements are considered vital instruments of a nation's foreign diplomacy, and the government is actively promoting such agreements. Nepal's international flight service network already includes over 20 destinations.

These agreements not only enhance structural relations with respective countries but also strengthen bilateral ties. Furthermore, it's important to note that these agreements adhere to the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as mentioned by Lamichhane.

In addition to these efforts, the government is currently reviewing agreements with Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a review proposed by Kuwait and the UAE themselves.

As part of its policies and programs for the current fiscal year, the government has announced its commitment to establishing new aviation relationships and expanding international air services.