15 ministers, 15 years later, Nepal’s aviation overhaul remains grounded
Summary
Nepal has failed for over 15 years to separate its civil aviation regulator from the service provider, resulting in continued EU blacklisting of its airlines and impacting tourism.
Key Points
- Nepal has promised aviation reforms for over 15 years but has not separated its civil aviation regulator from the service provider.
- The European Commission has kept Nepali airlines on its air safety blacklist for over a decade due to lack of aviation governance progress.
- The new government led by Balendra Shah has pledged to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal by mid-January 2027.
- Delays and political interference have hindered aviation reform bills despite pressure from international bodies and industry stakeholders.
