Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is planning to resume airport operations in eight areas, all lying in the remote corners of western Nepal.The domestic airports at Kamalbajar, Tikapur, Darchula, Mahendranagar, Baitadi, Achham, Doti, and Baluwa were closed about a decade ago citing insufficient air traffic. But now the government is all set to begin operations at these airports taking into consideration growing demand from the public. CAAN has already conducted test flights at Accham, Doti, and Baluwa and is all set to reopen these airports soon. 

Goma Air, a newly established domestic airline company will be conducting flights in the Western Nepal from its base in Surkhet. To conduct flights, the company has purchased two single-engine Cessna Caravan aircraft costing around $2.5 million from the US-based Kenmore Air Harbor, Inc.The company aims to provide services in Mugu, Bajang, Bajura and Doti in the first phase and expand its flights to other remote areas. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) issued the Air Operator Certificate to Goma Air, which permits the company to operate chartered, cargo and scheduled passenger services.

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 has been launched with the target of bringing in 1 million tourists to Nepal. Of the 1 million visitors, Nepal Government is expecting 700,000 visitors to arrive via air. To make this possible, the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation(MoTCA) has decided to permit international airlines flying to and from Kathmandu to operate additional flights during 2011. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has been directed to  issue Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) to airlines to operate additional flights during lean hours till the end of 2011. At present there are 27 international airlines operating in Nepal.

7th December is celebrated globally as International Civil Aviation Day. In Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) in association with Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Airline Operators Association of Nepal observed the day by organising workshops and a flag raising ceremony. The theme for this year’s (2010)  celebration was – “ Safety, Security & Environment”

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN body, adopted December 7 as the International Civil Aviation Day in 1994 to mark 50 years of its inception. The purpose of the global celebration is to generate awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of member states, and of the role of ICAO in promoting the safety, efficiency and regularity of international air transport.