'Cooperation of neighbouring countries needed for operation of Pokhara, Gautam Buddha Int'l airports'

Kathmandu, Sept 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has pointed out the need of regional cooperation for effective operation of Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports.     

At the Second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that began at New Delhi of India from Wednesday, Minister Pandey said Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports are seeking strong support especially from neighbouring countries for effective operation of these two airports.     

He mentioned, "Nepal has unique nature of terrain and geography. I believe that there is a large scope for research and investigation on aviation sector. We can establish regional research and training centre in Nepal to work together as well as to promote best practices related to ANS Search and Rescue, Meteorological Services and air traffic flow management. I strongly urge to ICAO and other member countries to invest in establishing Research and Training Centre on aviation in Nepal. We will facilitate in this regard."     

Sharing that Nepal's international airports have been certified and as of now, Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports are expecting regional cooperation for effective operations, Tourism Minister Pandey stressed that this reflects Nepal's commitments to continuous improvements in the aviation sector.     

"Nepal had committed on enhancement of safety oversight capabilities to achieve Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) effective implementation score higher or equal to the global average by 2022. I am glad to inform that Nepal achieved an average of 70 per cent during the 2022 audit", he explained.     

The Tourism Minister shared that Nepal has successfully integrated the core principles of Global Aviation Safety Plan into the National Aviation Safety Plan, he opined, adding as a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Nepal has adopted the Convention's principles and is moving towards promulgation of new laws that ensure a permanent and independent accident investigation entity.     

The two-day conference is jointly organised by Indian government and ICAO with an objective of preparing a new roadmap in order to make civil aviation of Asia Pacific Region more effective.     

More than 250 delegates from 41 countries are participating in the conference.(RSS)