KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) is considering handing over Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) management to a private firm, ministry secretary Nagendra Prasad Ghimire said in a programme

to mark the 65th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) day here today. Currently, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is looking the management of TIA.

TIA will be separated from CAAN soon, he said. “TIA management could be handed over to an international firm,” he said adding CAAN will remain a policy-making and regulating body thereafter. “If we want international standard service in TIA, it should be handed over to an international firm having experience in the sector,” he added.

Weak management of TIA is hampering growth of air traffic in the country. “MoTCA and CAAN will work on infrastructure development after giving the TIA management to private hands,” he said. However, he said was satisfied with safety measures taken in TIA and other airports of Nepal. “We have a good safety record in our aviation history,” he said.

CAAN director general Keshav Raj Khanal expressed satisfaction about the country’s aviation sector. “We are providing regular training in air-safety,” he said. “We are also expanding international flights from other airports.” CAAN is upgrading Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports as international airports.

Hari Bhakta Shrestha of Airlines Operators Association of Nepal voiced concern over airport taxes and air fuel. Expensive airport tax and fuel are hampering the growth of air services in Nepal, he said.

ICAO was established on December 7, 1944, and Nepal became a member of this umbrella organization in 1994. The organization currently has 190 members.