Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Nepal Plans Aviation Regulator Split to Improve Air Safety
Nepal wants to change how its aviation authority is organized.
It plans to create separate agencies for safety oversight and for running aviation services.
The government says this could help make safety checks more independent.
The proposed changes are in two draft bills submitted to parliament.
The laws must pass before the new agencies can be established.
Analysts say this could take several months.
Nepal has had 21 airplane and helicopter crashes that killed at least 380 people since 2000.
The European Union has barred Nepal-certified airlines from flying to Europe over safety concerns.
Nepal says it is also improving industry training and has sent the EU a safety improvement plan for review.
Nepal plans to split the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into two agencies.
One agency would oversee aviation safety and regulation; the other would manage airports, infrastructure and aviation services.
Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said the split would address a conflict of interest in the current structure.
At least 380 people have died in 21 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter crashes in Nepal since 2000.
Two draft bills have been submitted to parliament, and the European Union is reviewing Nepal's Corrective Action Plan.
- Who
- The Nepal government, including Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Khadak Raj Paudel.
- What
- Plans to divide the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into a safety regulator and an agency for aviation services and infrastructure.
- When
- The plan was reported on October 6; Paudel submitted two draft bills to parliament the previous week.
- Where
- Nepal.
- Why
- The government says separating safety oversight from service provision would address a conflict of interest and strengthen aviation safety oversight.
- Current authority
- Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN)
- Proposed service agency
- Nepal Air Service Authority (NASA)
- Draft legislation
- Two bills submitted to parliament
- Crash toll since 2000
- At least 380 people killed in 21 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter crashes
- European Union restriction
- Nepal-certified airlines are barred from flying to Europe, citing safety concerns
- Other safety steps
- Nepal says it is enhancing industry training
- Corrective Action Plan
- Submitted by Nepal and under review by the European Union