Honorable Mr. Ram Kumar Shrestha Minister for Tourism, culture and civil aviation inaugurating the program

06 May, 2013, Kathmandu

A five day long Training Workshop (6th-10^th May, 2013) has been initiated today at Gokarna Safari Resort, Kathmandu as a Part of “Aviation Safety Awareness Campaign” by the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN). Having troubled by the highest rate of accident in last five years, Nepalese Sky has become a matter of concern to everyone including foreign Tourists and the Insurance Companies.  With an intention to enhance the level of Air Safety and also educate concerned user groups including reinsurance Companies worldwide, the Industry has stepped with an initial program on SMS (Safety Management System) with 160 Participants from 17 different Airline Companies including Pilots, Engineers, Managers, Ground Crew, etc. with the assistance of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) certified trainers provided by the World Food Program. The training has been supported by many organizations like Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, IFC (a member of the World Bank group), Yeti Airlines and many other partners.

Training on the progress

During the Inauguration Program, Honorable Ram Kumar Shrestha, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation cited STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) operation and the extreme topographical adversities as main causes of Air Accidents in Nepal. He also explained on government’s efforts to strengthen the situation of Aviation Safety in the Country.

Participants on a genuine discussion

Mr. Tri Ratna Manandhar, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal appreciated Private Sector Stake Holders’ efforts in initiating the Air Safety Campaign and ensured every support from the Civil Aviation Authority regarding such interests.

Capt. Samir Sajet, Chief of the Aviation Safety Unit, Mr. Valintino Bagatsing, IFC Resident Representative and Ms. Nicole Menage, Chief of WFT Nepal Office shared sights on Air Safety situation of Nepal and ensured every support from their side to help Nepal come out of this situation in future.

Aviation personals attending the training

Capt. Rameshwor Thapa, President of AWON concluded the event with commitment from the side of Nepalese Aviation Industry to practice ‘Safe Flying’ and invited everyone concerned to join hands with the Industry in this mission. He also thanked all concerned including the event host, Gokarna Safari Resort.

PATA Nepal Chapter is the Industry Partner of this event and helping to integrate Nepalese Tourism Industry including Nepal Tourism Board and the International Partners to join hands in this initiation to make Nepal a “Safe Air Travel” destination.

International and national participants

The Opening Ceremony followed by sessions on Technical Presentations includes:

1. Workshop A- Threat and Error Management by Capt. Peter Stein (Johansen Control – FSF) and Thomas Anthony (University of Southern California).
2. Workshop B- Safety Reporting System- The need to have the State in the Loop by Mr. Antonio Pelaez (SENASA)
3. Workshop C- Safety Management System Training by Ms. Ghadier Khattari (RJ Airlines) and Mr. Kamal Tariq (DIAL, IGIA)
4. Workshop D- Quality Aviation for Operation by Mr. Matthew Wickens (Emirates Airlines.)

Good listeners on a serious topic

Prepared and circulated by:

Suman Pandey

Chairman-PATA Nepal Chapter

General Secretary-Airline Operators Association of Nepal

977-9851020294

Mr. Suman Pandey- President Explore Himalaya attending the training

The flight to Lukla in the Everest Region is one of the most thrilling experiences. Apart from the stunning vista of +8000m peaks and snowy Himalayan ranges, the heart racing touchdown and take-off experience at the airport runway (which is perched on a cliff) is guaranteed to give one goosebumps. No wonder the Tenzing Hillary airport has made it as one of the “World’s Thrilling Airports.” According to a report on CNNGO, Airfarewatchdog.com has compiled a list  of the world’s most thrilling airports and Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla is one of them.

The runway at Tenzing-Hillary Airport (pic: EH archive)

The Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla  was built in 1964 at the initiative of the Himalayan Trust to ease the transportation of cargo and building materails for the trust's educational projects in Everest Region. Prior to the establishment of the airport, locals as well as trekkers and mountaineers had to make an ardous trek lasting several days from Jiri to reach the Sherpa villages in Everest region. With the building of the airport, life has become much easier for the Khumbu locals as well as tourist visiting the Everest Region. In 2008 Nepal Government named the airport Tenzing-Hillary Airport in honor of Everest heroes and the first climbers to conquer Mount Everest, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Read about it on CNNGO “World's most 'thrilling' airports, where thrilling = terrifying”

Take a flight to Lukla & Trek to Everest Base Camp

Skytrax’s annual 'World Airline Awards' were announced recently at Farnborough International Airshow in UK. Qatar Airlines bagged the coveted ‘World’s Best Airline’ award for the second consecutive year, while Asiana Airlines from South Korea and Singapore Airlines won the second and third spots. 18 million international fliers voted between July 2011 and June 2012 on different aspects of airline passenger experience to choose the winners. This years award was dominated by airlines from Middle east and Asia. Etihad was adjudged the ‘Best First Class Airline’, Cathay Pacific the ‘Best Business Class Airline’, and AirAsia the Best Low-Cost Airline

The much awaited launch of Malaysia’s budget airline AirAsia X flight between Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and Kathmandu is scheduled for 3rd July,2012. The airline will be operating flights between the two capitals twice a week,on Tuesdays and Thursdays on its 370-seater Airbus A330-300. AirAsia X recently opened booking, with one-way tickets priced at Rs 11,000 (excluding taxes). The general sales agent (GSA) of AirAsia X in Nepal is Incentive Tours and Travels. 

While national carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is the lone carrier plying on the Malaysian (Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur) route, competition is now heating up as three new airlines are about to join the fray. Budget carrier AirAsia, Malaysia’s flag carrier Malaysia Airlines and BB Airways are all planning to operate on Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur route. AirAsia has planned to launch flights on the route by the end of June, Malaysia Airlines from Sept 1st and BB Airways by Sept 13th. The Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Nepal and Malaysia allows Malaysian carriers to operate up to 21 flights a week.