HoR Committee Directs Government to Form Independent Investigation Committee on Aviation Safety Standards

The International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the government to establish an independent investigation committee of experts to assess the implementation of all aviation safety standards in Nepal. During a meeting held on Thursday, the Committee instructed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to form the committee within 15 days. The committee is expected to investigate whether aviation safety standards have been properly implemented across the country, recommend actions against those involved in any wrongdoing, and ensure necessary policy reforms.

Chairperson of the Committee, Raj Kishor Yadav, emphasized that the directive was issued following consultations with the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the Ministry’s Secretary, and the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. The investigation will focus on the status of aviation-related laws and their alignment with international practices.

Additionally, the parliamentary committee has urged the government to immediately table the bill intended to integrate and amend laws related to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the bill concerning Nepal’s aviation services. The Committee has also directed the Tourism Ministry to submit reports from previous committees and taskforces formed to investigate plane crashes, aviation safety, and aviation regulations.

The Committee highlighted the need for a separate policy on aviation safety, despite the existing aviation policy, underscoring the importance of strengthening the regulatory framework to ensure the safety of Nepal’s aviation sector.