Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has implemented stringent measures to enhance aviation safety, focusing on rigorous compliance with the Safety Management System (SMS). This move comes as part of the authority’s ongoing efforts to ensure airline safety and security across the country’s aviation sector.
In a decisive step, CAAN announced it will conduct thorough audits of all airlines to assess their SMS compliance rates. A circular issued by the authority mandates that any airline with a compliance rate below the specified threshold will be banned from flying. This decision underscores CAAN’s commitment to maintaining high standards of airline safety and security.
The authority formally notified all airlines about this decision on Tuesday, signaling a significant shift towards stricter regulatory oversight. CAAN has set a minimum acceptable compliance rate for SMS at 60 percent. Airlines failing to meet this threshold will face immediate grounding, ensuring that only those adhering to robust safety practices are allowed to operate.
Director General Pradeep Adhikari emphasized that the authority’s decision aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) safety strategy. With the consensus of the ‘High Level Safety Coordination Committee,’ which includes representatives from all airlines, CAAN aims to uphold a minimum compliance rate of 60 percent for SMS implementation in Nepal.
“Ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety and security is our top priority,” said Adhikari. “By maintaining a strict compliance rate, we are committed to protecting passengers and enhancing the overall safety of our skies.”
In addition to grounding airlines with less than 60 percent compliance, CAAN will impose stricter measures on those with compliance rates between 60 to 75 percent.
These airlines will face restrictions, including prohibitions on flight expansion, limited approval for existing flights, and bans on purchasing new aircraft. These measures are designed to encourage airlines to improve their safety protocols and achieve higher compliance rates.
To enforce these new regulations, CAAN is conducting comprehensive audits focused on SMS compliance. These audits will evaluate the effectiveness of airlines’ safety management systems and ensure adherence to the established safety standards.
The new measures by CAAN represent a proactive approach to aviation safety, reflecting the authority’s determination to address any gaps in compliance and enhance overall airline safety and security in Nepal.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
