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Kathmandu,Nepal: The European Union (EU) has yet again retained Nepal’s aviation sector on its blacklist, barring all Nepal-based airlines from operating in European airspace. Despite Nepal’s repeated efforts to address safety concerns, the EU remains unconvinced, citing inadequate progress in accident prevention and regulatory oversight.
The updated list, released on Friday, keeps 20 airlines, all licensed by Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority, under the ban imposed since 2013. In contrast, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was removed from the blacklist, while Tanzania’s Air Tanzania was newly added.
A Decade of Blacklisting: What Went Wrong?
The EU’s primary concerns revolve around frequent aviation accidents in Nepal and insufficient safety reform implementation. Recent crashes involving small and large aircraft have reinforced the EU’s assessment of Nepal as a high-risk aviation sector.
Nepal was previously removed from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) "grey list" in 2018 after showing improvements in safety measures. However, these changes have not convinced the EU to lift its ban.
Impact on Nepal’s Aviation Goals
The EU blacklist continues to hamper Nepal’s aviation industry, especially Nepal Airlines Corporation, which had purchased two wide-body aircraft to target European and Australian routes. Officials say the ban has not only blocked Nepal’s airlines from entering European markets but also stifled expansion efforts to other international destinations.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) officials have criticized the EU’s stance as "unjust," asserting that significant safety advancements have been made. "Our progress is being overlooked. This is a major setback for Nepal’s aviation aspirations," said a senior CAAN representative.
Global Blacklist Comparisons
While Nepal remains grounded, the EU has permitted PIA to resume operations in Europe. Other airlines from Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea remain on the blacklist. European airlines, however, continue to fly to Nepal, as the ban does not affect their operations.
Nepal’s aviation authorities face mounting pressure to address lingering safety issues and persuade the EU to reconsider its position, with hopes of restoring Nepal’s access to global skies.
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