EU conducted 'safety audit' of Tara Air and Summit Air

KATHMANDU, Oct 09: The European Union (EU) team has completed the 'safety audit' of private airlines Tara Air and Summit Air.

The EU team that came to Kathmandu four days ago has completed the audit of Tara Air and Summit Air and now it is preparing to go to other airlines.

This 'safety audit' of the EU, which has been banned Nepali Aircrafts from European skies for years, has been viewed with importance.

Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Pradeep Adhikari, said that even if the current audit of the EU does not remove it from the blacklist immediately, it will pave the way for it.

The current audit is very important for us. This may pave the way for removal from the blacklist,” said the director general officer.

On the other hand, Summit Air's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manoj Karki said that the EU team had informed them that they had come to study and observe, not an audit, and provided the necessary documents accordingly.

"They are satisfied with our documents and working methods," said CEO Karki, "probably in the next audit, Nepal can be removed from the blacklist."

Tara Air spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said he was satisfied with all the documents requested by the EU team. "They are excited about all the details that we have provided," he said, "They have said that we will give some suggestions, maybe they can come from CAAN."

While staying in Nepal for five days, the EU team will study in eight areas including airline legislation, organization, personal licensing, flight operation, airworthiness, accident investigation, air navigation service, aerodrome and ground aid. The EU has been blacklisting Nepal since 2013.