Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has announced strict new helicopter safety regulations following the 29 October 2025 crash of Altitude Air’s ‘9N-AMS’ helicopter in Lobuche, Solukhumbu. The directives aim to enhance operational safety for commercial helicopters in challenging mountainous and high-altitude environments, aligning with international aviation safety standards.
The announcement followed a high-level consultation at CAAN headquarters in Sinamangal on 30 October 2025, which included Altitude Air officials, pilots from major Nepalese helicopter companies, and CAAN representatives.
Under the new guidelines, commercial helicopter operators are prohibited from conducting flights during dense fog or whiteout conditions, a common risk factor in Nepal’s Himalayan region. Additionally, helicopters operating in snowy or icy terrain must be equipped with bear paws on skids, a globally recognized precaution for winter operations in high-altitude regions.
To further improve flight safety, CAAN requires operators to assign a ground marshaller wherever possible, ensuring proper coordination for takeoffs, landings, and ground handling at remote or frequently used high-altitude helipads. All helipads must be cleared of snow, ice, and foreign object debris (FOD) before any flight operation, including the surrounding areas, to reduce accident risks.
The directive affects leading helicopter operators in Nepal, including Air Dynasty, Altitude Air, Annapurna Helicopter, Fishtail Air, Heli Everest, Kailash Helicopter, Manang Air, Mountain Helicopter, Mustang Helicopter, Prabhu Helicopter, Shri Airlines, and Simrik Air. Compliance with the new regulations is mandatory and immediate.
The 9N-AMS crash underscored the operational challenges of mountain aviation, particularly in extreme weather conditions prevalent in the Himalayas. Helicopter services in Nepal are vital for tourism, mountain rescue, medical evacuations, and transportation to remote areas, making aviation safety a national priority.
CAAN emphasized that non-compliance with the new safety directives could result in operational penalties or suspension, signaling the regulator’s commitment to aligning Nepal’s helicopter industry with international aviation safety protocols.
Global aviation experts highlight that rigorous safety measures, including ground guidance, skid protection, and obstacle-free helipads, are essential for reducing helicopter accidents in mountainous terrain worldwide. Nepal’s updated regulations now reflect these best practices from high-altitude aviation operations globally, ensuring safer mountain flights for both domestic and international travelers.
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