KATHMANDU, APRIL 2

Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, clarified that the concept of a management contract for the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) does not imply privatization.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Minister emphasized, 'The management contract does not equate to a sale. The Ministry aims to introduce established best practices in civil aviation to facilitate a comprehensive transformation of the entity. Before any decision is made, it will be subjected to broader discussions.'

Given the public interest in the affairs of NAC as a state-owned entity, the Minister asserted that any government action concerning it will prioritize the nation's interests.

He was responding to concerns raised by lawmaker Prem Suwal regarding the Ministry's focus on implementing a management contract for NAC instead of addressing corruption and other irregularities within the organization.

The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing reported anomalies within NAC.

He mentioned that the Ministry is actively pursuing reforms for the national flag-carrier through institutional improvements and professional development, aiming to bolster tourism. Additionally, various committees have been established to solicit input towards this objective.

Highlighting NAC's role as a public entity, the Minister assured that its operations adhere to legal frameworks and maintain transparency. He emphasized that the Ministry strictly prohibits the sale of air tickets on the black market, and any wrongdoing is subject to legal consequences.