KATHMANDU, AUGUST 27
The Supreme Court has issued a short-term interim order on the writ filed by the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) against the decisions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to prohibit flight crew members having a share in the company from exercising the privileges of their licence for all types of commercial flights and restrict mountain and sling flights.
The authority had also made it mandatory for airlines to conduct flight operations between aerodromes only.
While the operators are concerned about strengthening air safety and minimising air accidents, the writ was filed at the SC as the decisions of CAAN had affected the operations of the airline operators, a statement reads.
According to AOAN, although the apex court has passed a short-term interim order at the moment, further decisions will be made after holding discussions in the presence of both parties.
Similarly, Gyanendra Bhul, information officer of CAAN, shared that while the authority was aware of the news, it was yet to receive an official letter from the SC.
"The regulator will move forward after receiving a letter from the court. Further discussion is yet to be held in the presence of both parties at the SC to come to any conclusion," he said.
The CAAN had introduced the said provisions to enhance air safety and prevent any sort of conflict of interest.
At the time of the announcement, as many as 11 pilots had held shares in eight companies that they fly for.
According to the authority, since helicopters are operated by following visual flight rules, they have to fly at low altitudes and can come in contact with low-hanging clouds. As the monsoon is also a low tourism season and the weather can become erratic at any given point, the regulator had focused on mitigating air accidents by halting such flights till September.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 28, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
