Supreme Court mandate to give 'self ground handling' to Himalayan Airlines

KATHMANDU, Jan 28: The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Himalayan Airlines after a 13-month dispute over ground handling at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The The Supreme Court of Nepal ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to allow Himalaya Airlines to conduct ground handling operations at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). 

On Friday, a bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Binod Sharma granted an injunction in the name of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) granting Himalaya Airlines self-ground handling facilities.

Based on guidelines issued in 2016 AD, the CAAN decided to provide Himalaya Airlines with self-ground handling facilities.

The court's judgment is based on the Ground Handling Regulations of 2016 AD, which provide that airlines that operate at least 35 flights per week are permitted to self-conduct ground handling activities at TIA. Notably, CAAN originally granted Himalayan Airlines a license for self-conducted ground handling services on September 25, 2020. However, the license was eventually revoked on the orders of then-tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai.

On February 16, 2023, Himalaya Airlines filed a petition with the Supreme Court disputing CAAN's ruling. The recent Supreme Court decision reinstates the airline's right to self-manage ground handling activities at TIA.

The Supreme Court's judgment is expected to have a good influence on Himalaya Airlines' operations at TIA, granting the airline autonomy in ground handling services.

Himalaya Airlines, established in 2014, is a joint venture between Tibetan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Company Ltd of China and Yeti World Investment Pvt Ltd of Nepal. The airline has scheduled flights to a variety of countries, including China, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Thailand. Himalaya Airlines operates four Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.