Nepal requests EU to lift travel ban on airlines

Nepal has requested the European Union to lift an air traffic ban imposed on Nepalese airlines in 2013 over safety concerns.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat briefed European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker about the progress Nepal has made in the aviation safety sector.

Acknowledging the EU's support to Nepal's development efforts in areas such as human and social development, agriculture and trade, Mahat also sought an enhanced level of support from the EU in infrastructure building and skills development.

The Foreign Minister also called for an increased support for post-earthquake reconstruction to help meet resources gap particularly in housing grant, education and health.

Juncker assured the Foreign Minister that the EU would consider the possibility of enhancing support and cooperation as per the request made by Nepal.

Mahat, on the occasion, also apprised the EU President of the recent political developments in Nepal, including the amendment of the constitution and preparations for holding of elections in the within next year.

In 2013, the EU had cited "safety information from various sources and a hearing both with the Nepalese aviation authorities as well as with a number of Nepalese carriers" to justify the blanket prohibition against the Himalayan country. Since the year 1949 - the first aircraft landed in Nepal - there have been many crashes which involving planes and helicopters for crashes.