Nepal

Paragliding pilots continue protest

Paragliding pilots continue protest

By Himalayan News Service

Tourists enjoying a paragliding flight over the Pokhara sky, in Kaski district. Photo: Rajesh Bomjan/File

Pokhara, December 14 The agitation of paragliding pilots, who have halted all their services in Pokhara since Sunday, entered its second day today. READ ALSO

The pilots have been protesting the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to charge Nepali tandem paragliding pilots Rs 9,040 in the name of flight permission fees. “CAAN was charging the amount from foreign para-pilots but its decision to also charge Nepali tandem pilots is unreasonable and unlawful,” said Nepal Air Sports Association vice-chairperson Sobit Baniya. On Sunday, a team of CAAN had prevented para-pilots from operating the flights, saying they had not paid their monthly fee of Rs 9,000. The pilots had reached Sarangkot with tourists for tandem flights. “In fact, whatever CAAN has done is an injustice to tandem pilots,” said Dawadi, expressing concern about the tourists, who had to cancel their flights. Pokhara airport chief Dipak Baral said he would hold talks with the para-pilots. “I have arrived here from Kathmandu just today. I will call them for talks tomorrow,” he said.