International Civil Aviation Day is being celebrated conducting various programs in Nepal today.
On the occasion of this day, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has organized various programs in the presence of Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Rabindra Adhikari.
‘Walkathan” has been organized from the site of Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project (ATCEP) to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today’s morning at 8 AM. According to the CAAN official, a program to rise the flag of Nepal will be done by Tourism Minister at TIA.
Since the implementation of Chicago Convention in 1994, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been celebrating this day. However, United Nations General Assembly has declared December 7 as International Civil Aviation Day in the year 1996.
This year slogan is “No Country Left Behind” which means no country should be lacking behind in aviation sector. There are 192 members including Nepal in ICAO.
Another purpose to celebrate this day is to make air travel safe and humble and also play a role in expanding air services access.
ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) was founded in December 31, 1998. Its main objective is ensuring Safe, Secured, Efficient, Standard and Quality Service in Civil Aviation and Airport Operations.
On the occasion of this day, air exhibitions, rally and many others programs are going to be conducted.
Nepal is considered to be one of the best destinations for flight operations. Mountain flights in Nepal have been popular overall the world as Nepal is a mountainous country. Among tourists activities in Nepal, Mountain Flight, is the most attractive and first choice of tourists.
Private airlines like Buddha Air, Yeti airlines have been conducting mountain flights.
According to the CAAN, there is a need for further physical infrastructure development in order to improve aviation sector in Nepal. Due to increasing air traffic, Nepal has been pointing to the emphasis on physical infrastructure.
Around a million tourists are using air services in Nepal. According to MoCTCA, its annual growth is 25 per cent.
Tourism Minister stated that it is important to pay close attention in air security as aviation sector is gradually being progressive. Nepal’s geographical condition create difficulties and chance of aerial accidents. Lukla Airport of Nepal is considered as the most dangerous airport of the world. Therefore, Minister Adhikari said that it is necessary to move ahead with latest technologies to make Nepal’s sky secure.
He claimed that extension of TIA as well as construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport will further develop Nepal’s aviation sector. Similarly, the construction of proposed Nijgadh International Airport will bring great support to economic development.
Raj Kumar Chhetri, chief of TIA stated that there will be more than 400-500 air movement daily by national and international flights including helicopter in Nepal.
There are more than 3 dozens national and international airlines companies conducting flights in Nepal.
Currently, Nepal Airlines Corporation, owned by Nepal government and other private airlines companies have been operating domestic and international flights.
