Government forms probe committee to study aviation sector

The government has formed a probe committee domestic aircraft.

"The investigative committee will help domestic airlines make more robust, safe and effective," confirmed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. "A meeting chaired by prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, formed a five-member probe committee led by joint secretary of the ministry Buddhisagar Lamichhane."

"The committee has former director of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Bheshraj Subedi, senior captain Krishna Bahadur Poudel and joint secretary at the ministry Pramod Nepal as members and CAAN general manager Laxman Devkota as member secretary," the ministry added. 

A committee will study the physical and mechanical condition of domestic airlines in Nepal regarding various problems seen in their aircrafts and helicopters recently, a press note issued by the ministry reads, adding that the committee has been entrusted with the responsibility to submit the report within three months with suggestions. "The committee will study and observe the physical, mechanical and archival condition of all the aircrafts flying in and out of Nepal."

The committee is also responsible for reviewing the CAAN’s test report on whether the airline has complied with the safety standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the press note reads. "It will also examine whether the criteria for crew members have been met."

The probe committee will make suggestions to improve the quality of air safety by studying the safety related work to be followed by the CAAN. “We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the general public and tourists by making Nepal's air service reliable and trustworthy," the statement reads.

A Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar managed a safe landing at Kathmandu airport as it failed to land at Biratnagar airport due to technical glitch.