Kathmandu, Oct 18: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has lifted the ban on helicopter flights that was imposed during the monsoon season.
According to CAAN spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul, the ban on helicopter flights has been lifted following the end of the monsoon season.
With the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology declaring the end of the monsoon, the authority has removed the restrictions that were imposed on certain helicopter flights during the season. “The restrictions on mountain flights, ‘ceiling flights’ where helicopters carry goods underneath, and ‘flower shower flights’ have been lifted.”
Every year, the authority imposes such bans during the monsoon to mitigate potential risks that could arise during the rainy season.
The Meteorological Department announced that the monsoon had withdrawn from Nepal as of October 12. On average, the monsoon enters Nepal around June 13 and exits by October 2. This year, the monsoon began on June 10 and exited on October 12.
Spokesperson Bhul explained that the ban was imposed because weather conditions can change rapidly during the monsoon, increasing the risk to helicopter flights.
Meanwhile, the authority has stated that permissions for helicopter flights will now be issued directly by the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Bhul mentioned that with the end of the monsoon, the permits for normal cargo, passenger flights, and flights within the Kathmandu Valley will be issued from TIA.
Previously, following a Manang Air helicopter crash on July 13, 2023, all helicopter flight permits had to be obtained from CAAN’s central office.
CAAN has now clarified that for flights outside the Kathmandu Valley, permits will still need to be issued from the central office. Only flights for pilot checks, non-commercial purposes, ceiling flights, and those starting from other airports will require permits from the central office.
“After last year’s Manang Air helicopter crash, we had mandated that all helicopter flight permits be issued from the central office.
Now, however, for flights from Kathmandu airport and within the valley, the authority has returned the power to issue permits to the Tribhuvan International Airport. From October 10, permissions will be given as they were before,” said spokesperson Bhul. #heli #flight #monsoon #rss
