Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has decided to control granting permissions to new helicopter companies under the application of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). CAAN has proposed Tourism Ministry to stop providing permit to helicopters companies saying that it would be difficult to monitor many helicopter companies.
Currently, there are 10 helicopters companies where 2 new companies: Mustang helicopter and RS helicopter have received authorization. However, these two helicopter companies have not received permission for flight operations.
Annapurna and Sky Line helicopter have given applications in the ministry for permission to operate flights and are in the phase of registering their companies. CAAN has expressed dissatisfaction for giving permission to two helicopter companies within 6 months.
Sanjeev Gautam, Director General of CAAN stated that it will be appropriate to stop providing permission to helicopters companies for immediate intervention as it would be difficult to monitor multiple helicopter companies. He also said that it is yet to be decided to stop permitting permission however the authority should be alert in time.
He informed that the conclusion to give permission to helicopters companies will be implemented only after the Ministry’s decision. CAAN claimed that many helicopters companies come to an unexpected competition and can create more problems.
