Closing Gaps In Civil Aviation Safety

Aviation in Nepal is a necessity more than a means of luxury and entertainment. There are several regions in Nepal that are deprived of means of transportation, due to which people living in such places are facing lots of problems regarding access to daily goods, health facilities, education and so on. Hence, for many remote districts, aircraft are the fastest and sometimes the only reliable means of transport for people, goods, medical evacuations and emergency relief. Along with time and the advancement of technologies, Nepal’s domestic aviation sector has expanded its reach, connecting mountain airstrips and remote valleys to major cities. 

Meaningful progress 

However, along with this growth, concerns about aviation safety have remained a subject of public debate and the reality is more nuanced than often portrayed. Nepal has made meaningful progress in improving domestic aviation safety, but significant gaps still exist that demand sustained attention and improvement. The country's geography makes flying extremely challenging. Short runways carved into hillsides, rapidly changing weather, uneven terrains, mountains, including the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest, and limited alternate airports create operating conditions far more demanding than those faced by airlines in countries with flat geography. 

Because of such reasons, even small errors, which can be human, technical or procedural, can result in serious consequences. As domestic flights serve and promote tourism, trade and essential services, safety lapses affect not only passengers but also the country’s international reputation and economic confidence. Despite the challenges, Nepal’s aviation safety approaches have improved in several important ways with stronger safety awareness, better training and technologies, improved regulatory engagement and so on. At present, safety is no longer discussed only after accidents, but is continuously discussed on possible causes and threats that may lead to accidents and incidents. 

Airlines, regulators, and aviation professionals increasingly emphasise risk management, standard procedures and reporting of hazards. Safety Management Systems’ structured approaches to identify and reduce risks are now part of airline operations. These activities have developed the concept of safety cultures in the aviation industry. Pilot and ATC training standards have gradually improved, and modern aircraft operating domestically are better equipped with terrain awareness systems and navigation aids than in the past. Air Traffic Controllers now rely more on surveillance systems and standardised procedures, reducing dependency on visual judgment only. 

Nepal’s aviation authority has increased engagement with international organisations and adopted global safety frameworks. Audit scores and compliance levels have shown improvement compared to earlier decades, indicating progress in oversight and regulation. These steps matter because they show that safety improvement is possible even in a difficult operating environment. Although progress is seen and improvements can be felt, it does not imply the problems have been solved and it indicates there are still some gaps remaining to be fulfilled. 

One of the most discussed issues is the overlap between regulatory and service-providing roles within the aviation system. When the same institution is responsible for both operating airports and air navigation services and regulating safety, maintaining independent oversight becomes difficult. If the system is not properly developed and managed, there is a high probability of conflicts of interest, bias and other issues. This structural issue has delayed full confidence from international partners. Secondly, investigations of past accidents often highlight similar contributing factors like loss of control, controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), weather-related decision-making and procedural non-compliance.

 When patterns repeat, it suggests that the results obtained and lessons learned are not always fully translated into practice. Finally, several domestic airports still operate with limited navigation aids and weather reporting facilities. In mountainous regions, real-time weather information is critical. Gaps in meteorological data can place pilots and controllers in difficult decision-making situations. Safety depends on people. Shortages of experienced inspectors, technical specialists, and trainers can weaken oversight, and these small gaps ultimately lead to some incidents. Hence, continuous training is essential, not only for pilots but also for controllers, engineers and regulators.

Improving domestic aviation safety is not about blaming individuals; it is about strengthening systems. For this, it is necessary to clearly separate regulation from service provision, which can improve transparency and accountability. Authority needs to focus and invest in infrastructure, particularly navigation aids, weather reporting facilities and other necessary equipment, especially for controllers to relay accurate information to aircraft in time. In addition to it, continuous training, familiarisation with modern procedures, technologies and equipment are extremely necessary to aviation professionals and also the recruitment of skilled individuals plays a crucial role for long-term safety. 

Besides, when the incidents are reported, their investigations should be done in depth and must be analysed without fear, for preventing future accidents with similar reasons. These activities promote a safety culture, which is very important in ensuring safety in the aviation industry. Nepal’s domestic aviation sector operates in one of the world’s most challenging environments. Expecting zero risk is unrealistic, but reducing avoidable risk is both possible and necessary. The progress made so far shows commitment and capability. The gaps that remain show where focus must continue. A safer sky will not be achieved through headlines alone, but through steady reform, investment, and professionalism on the ground and in the air.

(The author is a senior officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.)