Ensure Air Safety

Bini Dahal

A very distressing situation arose when a passenger plane crashed and caught fire within seconds while taking off from Kathmandu. As per the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), eighteen passengers, including one Nepali child and one Yemeni national, died in the incident. Only the pilot of the ill-fated plane has been lucky enough to survive. He has been undergoing medical treatment in a hospital of Kathmandu. A total of nineteen people were on board the flight that was bound to Pokhara for C-check. This check refers to a thorough maintenance of planes. This incident once again highlights and questions the air safety situation of the country. 

Immediately after the crash, the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) was closed for several hours for carrying out rescue operations. Later, the airport opened. While the government has now formed a five-member commission to probe the accident. It is obvious that many such investigation commissions have been formed in the past as well. But it seems that the recommendations made by the probe teams have never been implemented accordingly. The government must properly coordinate, collaborate, regulate and monitor private airline companies to improve air safety. 

This crash has happened at the TIA on the eve of the peak autumn tourist season. This incident might badly affect international tourist arrivals. Previous probe reports have pointed out ‘human errors’ as the main factors causing air crashes in the country. Difficult topography and unpredictable weather conditions are also responsible for the frequent air accidents in the country. Nepal had not recovered from a major plane accident that had taken place in Pokhara in January 2023. Then, all the 72 people on board the plane had lost their lives. That accident had caused huge damage to the nation’s reputation as an enticing tourist destination. 

The European Union (UN) continues to put a ban on Nepali airlines. Since December 2013, no Nepali aircraft has been allowed to fly into the European airspace. This is quite damaging for Nepal’s reputation. Amidst all these problems, we are the first to put blame on the airlines on how they did not follow safety protocols. However, when it comes to planes and Nepali air, both the CAAN and airlines must be held responsible for repeated air accidents. 

These regular events reflect our core problem of weak institutional capacity and financial and technical capabilities. Because our economy is highly dependent on the tourism industry, we must make an all-out effort to ensure air safety. Also, it is about being able to travel securely and it can be considered a right of the people. Such matters must not be ignored at any cost. Because it is closely related to human lives, the government and even the media must show sensitivity and seriousness towards this matter. 

Spreading malicious news and gaining views and likes should be an issue with least bit of concern. However, that exactly is what happens. It is time we show certain sensitivity when it comes to such incidents. Showing a respect for those deceased and their family members is necessary. The government must seriously look into this matter and put efforts into preventing such incidents in the future. As long as these incidents continue in the country, travelling by air is sure to remain a terrifying event for many. In a situation where travelling on buses is also not considered safe, we are forced to travel long by putting our lives at risk.