The Indian government has been delaying the approval of new air route entry point after repeated request from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN.
Deepak Baral, head of technical discussion team from Nepal stated there is no response from the technical team of Indian Civil Aviation although written letter has been sent for discussion on the new air entry point to India frequently. Baral said that Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and CAAN started the discussion with the Indian government since December 2016 in the issue of new air route but there is no any definite decision as per now.
The Indian side has not yet approved the demand of air route for the aircraft coming from the Eastern part to Janakpur and Biratnagar. Similarly, Nepal has asked Nepalgunj entry point with the Indian side for the aircraft coming from western countries.
The issue of the new air route has not been solved even with the discussion of three Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and KP Oli high level officials. In the discussions started by the Ministry and Authority in the first time, the Indian side took a stand on to finalize by the two countries political parties.
According to the decision taken in the high-level discussion with India, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and Indian Civil Aviation Authority formed a technical committee on behalf of themselves. After the formation of the committee, the date of two-party discussions was fixed in Ashoj 2073 AD. “We were invited by the Indian side on the issue of the new air route,” said Baral, “we could not go because of the election code of conduct.” When we sent a letter to Indian side again then they have not replied, he added.
The Authority again made an agenda of a new air route issue in Prime Minister KP Oli’s visit to India via the ministry. During the visit of Prime Minister Oli, the discussion could not be decided however, the issue of air route entered into a high level of discussion in Narendra Modi visit to Nepal. Despite entering into the discussion, the Indian side has rejected this issue again by saying that the technical team will get rid of it.
According to the Authority, the Indian side is not positive about the entry point of Nepalgunj saying that there is Army base camp in that area. However, about the Bhairahawa entrance point, the Indian side is positive.
Nepal will be discussing for approval with India for aircraft coming from Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Janakpur, Biratnagar and Europe and western countries will be entering from Mahendranagar and going out from Mechi, eastern part to Eastern countries.
