CAAN looking alternatives to NAC in Ground Handling

Pradeep Adhikari, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has said that they will look for an alternative to the ground handling operations being carried out by Nepal Airlines.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the CAAN on Wednesday, the Director General said that questions are being raised about the ground handling service provided by the Nepal Airline Corporation (NAC) and that they will look for an alternative to the ground handling operation.

He also said that due to the political turmoil in the NAC, the air service may be disrupted at any time and the CAAN will take a decision at the appropriate time. The director general mentioned that there is a legal arrangement that any airline company can provide ground handling services for 35 flights a week.

He said that all international airports will be closed if the employees of the NAC go on strike or strike, he said that considering the risk of closing the international airport, it is necessary to find an alternative.

The officer also mentioned that the CAAN is aware to use the powers given by the law in an equal manner, to implement and present alternatives. He claims that the CAAN will soon decide on air flights with alternative arrangements for ground handling.

He also said that earlier, when the CAAN gave ground handling service permission to Himalaya Airlines, it was given to private airlines, due to the pressure of the media, CAAN backed down on the matter of giving ground handling service to private airlines.

The official said that a company that operates 35 air flights per week should be legally allowed by the CAAN before providing ground handling services. He says that airline companies should give more priority to flights in order to do business.

According to the official, it seems that the CAAN is preparing to hand over the ground handling operations to the private sector international airline company Himalaya Airlines. So far, NAC on and Himalaya Airlines have been operating international flights. The corporation has been providing ground handling services at Tribhuvan International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport since the beginning.