Tourism Minister Pandey urges EU to lift ban on Nepali Airlines

KATHMANDU, Jan 18: Badri Prasad Pandey, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has urged the European Union (EU) to lift the ban on Nepali airlines flying in the latter's skies.     

During a meeting with a delegation including EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo at the Ministry on Friday, Minister Pandey urged them to help Nepal by lifting the ban imposed on Nepali airlines in EU skies at the earliest.     

Recalling that Nepal and the EU already have diplomatic relations, Minister Pandey said Nepal and the EU have a partnership for over five decades.     

Ambassador Veronique Lorenzo said they were were aware of the impact of the EU's air ban in Nepal's tourism sector and stressed the need for Nepal to become technologically competent.     

He also said that France's Airbus company is ready to support Nepal's civil aviation sector.