Kathmandu- The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against pilots holding European Union (EU) licenses, with  the EU’s decision to blacklist Nepali aviation. The CAAN recently banned a European pilot from flying in Nepal after he permitted another pilot—who had issued his license—to operate flights in the country.

Spanish pilot Xavier Gonzalez Campos, who was flying for Heli Everest, was barred from flying in Nepal and asked to provide an explanation. In response, he sent an application with CAAN, requesting to maintain the validity of his license to continue flying in Nepal.

CAAN reportedly questioned the pilot, asking, 'If the EU has placed Nepali airlines on the security concern list (blacklist), why should you be allowed to fly for Nepali airlines?'

In his response, Campos argued that the EU’s decision to blacklist Nepal was not based on an objective evaluation. He emphasized that Nepali airlines should be allowed to operate in EU airspace, as the country has made significant progress in improving aviation safety.

Below is an excerpt from the letter he sent to CAAN:

 

I am writing these lines hereafter to express my strong disapproval regarding the inclusion of Nepali airlines on the EU Air Safety List, a decision I believe is unfair and lacks proper justification based on an objective evaluation

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Is important to point out, that the Nepalese aviation sector has made significant strides in recent years to improve its safety standards, and many stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), are working actively and hard to accomplish the best and highest safety standards.

The challenges faced by Nepalese airlines and authority should not be underestimated, as they are operating within a unique and complex environment. Fact that made of Nepal and its airspace, a dream for many pilots, as for me, around the world to come and learn of Nepalese expertise regarding flying skills and safety procedures.

Since I arrived here, I could feel that for every institution, as Heli Everest PVT Itd, safety is the utmost important factor for our daily work and philosophy. At Heli Everest PVT Itd, we perform recurrent training of safety procedures, human factor course, regulation updates and Safety Management Systems course.

In conclusion, regarding the efforts of Nepalese air companies and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to design the highest standards of safety, that can be a reference for other authorities in the world, EU should reconsider to remove Nepal and its air companies from this Air safety list allowing Nepalese companies to operate in EU airspace.
We all work for a better and safety air aviation industry.