Kathmandu – Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Director General Engineer Pradip Adhikari has warned of action against local governments and national parks imposing bans on helicopter flights, asserting that such decisions are outside their jurisdiction.
Speaking on the occasion of the 26th Anniversary of the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority on Tuesday, Director General Adhikari responded to questions raised in the Authority’s Annual Progress Report. He emphasized that granting or denying air flight permissions is the sole responsibility of the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority.
The statement follows Sagarmatha National Park’s decision last Mangsir to ban commercial helicopter flights, citing concerns over the impact of takeoffs and landings on forest conservation, the environment, and wildlife habitat.
Addressing this issue, Director General Adhikari reiterated that only the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority has the authority to regulate air flights in Nepal. He warned that legal action would be taken against state employees and elected officials acting beyond their mandate, as outlined by the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act 2053 and the Civil Aviation Act 2015.
Adhikari firmly stated that unauthorized restrictions on air flights would not be entertained by the Authority.