"Nalinchowk Heliport in Bhaktapur Suspends Operations Amid Safety Concerns"

KATHMANDU, July 12:The Nalinchowk Heliport, established on June 7 to divert helicopter operations from Tribhuvan International Airport, has ceased functioning just 20 days after its inauguration following safety concerns raised by pilots.

 

47 helicopter pilots from various private service providers refused to operate from Nalinchowk, citing risks due to its geographical location, nearby dense settlements, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient security measures alongside the absence of crucial facilities like air turbine fuel, fire control equipment, and scanning machines. "We were carrying the fuel for the helicopter from Tribhuvan Airport to Nalinchowk Heliport in Tins," said a pilot, "There is no point in taking too much risk to fly."

 

A senior CAAN official confirmed that a Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) considered the risks to be manageable.CAAN is now in discussions with the pilots to address their concerns. The authority has formed a committee to evaluate the safety issues and add infrastructure, estimating an expenditure of 10 to 12 million rupees for essential upgrades. 

 

The heliport, built for 119 million rupees, was designed to alleviate air traffic pressure at Tribhuvan Airport by accommodating up to 40 helicopters. It has Air Dynasty Heli Services, Altitude Air, Annapurna Helicopters, Fishtail Air, Heli Everest, Kailash Helicopter Services, Manang Air, Mountain Helicopters, Mustang Helicopters, Prabhu Helicopters, Shree Airlines and Simric Air operating charter flights as of now.