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Kathmandu, Nepal: Soaring above ground handling hurdles, Himalayan Airlines has secured a long-awaited victory in the Supreme Court. After a 13-month tug-of-war, the apex court finally ruled in favor of the airline, granting it the coveted self-ground handling facility at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
Grounded by Politics:
The saga began with Himalayan Airlines meeting all prerequisites for self-ground handling, having surpassed the 35 weekly scheduled flights threshold defined in 2072 BS guidelines. Following the rules, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) greenlit the airline's self-handling proposal, leading to substantial infrastructure investments – a staggering Rs 500 million.
However, just as the airline neared operationalization, political headwinds intervened. Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai, allegedly influenced by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) management, attempted to ground Himalayan Airlines' self-handling plans. Pressure from Bhattarai led the CAAN to stall the process, leaving the airline in limbo.
Taking Flight to Justice:
Unwilling to be grounded by bureaucratic roadblocks, Himalayan Airlines took to the skies of legal recourse, petitioning the Supreme Court in February 2023. Finally, justice took flight – the court's recent ruling upheld the airline's right to self-ground handling, recognizing its adherence to established guidelines and dispelling any accusations of undue influence.
Clearing the Runway for Growth:
This landmark victory paves the way for Himalayan Airlines to streamline its operations at TIA, potentially leading to cost savings and enhanced efficiency. With four aircraft currently serving nearly a dozen international destinations, the airline is poised for further growth, fueled by this hard-won self-reliance.
The Supreme Court's decision sets a crucial precedent for fair competition within the aviation industry, ensuring no airline is grounded by political favoritism. As Himalayan Airlines prepares to take full control of its ground handling, the skies above Nepal's aviation sector look brighter than ever.
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