EU expands aviation safety engagement in Nepal amid continued push to address air safety concerns

KATHMANDU: The European Union has launched two new regional aviation safety initiatives in Kathmandu, intensifying its engagement with Nepal’s aviation sector as the country continues efforts to address long-standing air safety concerns and secure removal from the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist.

The programmes are being conducted under the EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project and will bring together aviation regulators, airlines, industry representatives and technical experts from across South Asia to strengthen cooperation and improve aviation safety standards.

The first programme, the third module of the Regional Aviation Safety Programme (RASP), began on Monday and is being hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in collaboration with aircraft manufacturer ATR. The three-day event focuses on crew training, operational standards, pilot decision-making, fatigue management and operational resilience.

Speaking at the opening session, Thomas Millar, Chargé d’Affaires at the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, acknowledged Nepal’s recent efforts to address concerns raised by European regulators.

He said the EU had taken note of recent commitments made by the government, including remarks by the finance minister regarding aviation safety reforms and Nepal’s submission of a comprehensive package related to the implementation of its Corrective Action Plan.

According to Millar, officials from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) will review the submitted documents in the coming months.

“The European Union and its member states remain committed to working alongside the Government of Nepal to help achieve the level of aviation safety expected by Nepali citizens and international travellers,” he said.

Nepal’s aviation sector has remained under close international scrutiny since all Nepali airlines were placed on the European Union Air Safety List in 2013 due to concerns over regulatory oversight and safety performance.

The second initiative, scheduled from June 29 to July 2, will focus on continuing airworthiness regulations and oversight systems. The workshop will examine recent regulatory developments introduced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and support South Asian aviation authorities in implementing evolving international standards.

EU officials said the programmes reflect a shift from occasional technical assistance towards a more structured and long-term framework of regional aviation cooperation.

The initiatives also position Kathmandu as an emerging venue for aviation policy dialogue in South Asia at a time when Nepal is seeking to modernize its aviation regulatory framework and improve compliance with international safety standards.

Aviation safety remains a critical issue for Nepal, where tourism, international connectivity and economic activity depend heavily on reliable air transport services. The EU says stronger cooperation among regulators, airlines and industry stakeholders is essential to building safer and more resilient aviation systems across the region.

The EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project is part of the broader EU–Asia Aviation Partnership Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The project supports aviation authorities and industry stakeholders through technical cooperation, regulatory dialogue and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening safety oversight and regulatory compliance.