Nepal seeks access to Indian airspace for international flights

Nepal is continuing diplomatic efforts to secure permission to use Indian airspace for its international flights, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadkaraj (Ganesh) Paudel has said. Paudel noted that India was building a regional airport in Motihari, Bihar, which might require the use of Nepal’s airspace. “We are also seeking permission to use Indian airspace for our international flights.

Talks on the matter are moving in a positive direction,” he said. Access to Indian airspace would make it easier to operate international flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, he added. The minister also said the government was pursuing diplomatic efforts to have the European Union lift its aviation safety restrictions on Nepali airlines.

Nepal’s aviation sector has been on the EU’s safety list since 2013. Although the International Civil Aviation Organization removed Nepal from its list of countries with significant safety concerns in 2018, the EU restrictions remain in place.