The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made it clear that the forceful act of the airline companies to close the domestic flights from Wednesday was not acceptable.

Organizing a news conference on Tuesday, the CAAN urged the airline companies not to suspend their flights stating that its prior decisions were taken to lessen the existing pressure on Tribhuvan International Airport and strengthen aviation safety.

Director-General of CAAN Pradip Adhikari said the airline companies coming against the decision of the CAAN is to shy away from their responsibility and asked them to remain responsible for public service.

“The entrepreneurs should be responsible for sensitive issues like aviation service. The CAAN will not remain mute if people suffered from the strike,” Director General Adhikari added.

Earlier today, the Airlines Operators Association had warned to close all the emergency and scheduled flights from Wednesday if the CAAN were not ready to withdraw its decision.

However, standing firm on the CAAN decision, Director-General Adhikari said the airline companies should go to the particular sites for their night-stop where the airline companies received approval for their base during the time of acquiring Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

 Earlier, the CAAN had decided to shift Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)-based parking space for helicopters and aircraft to outside the Kathmandu Valley. As per the decision, helicopters and aircraft will be sent out of Kathmandu for night-stop parking and they are required to operate the first flight of the day from the base airport (stop area).

The decision to shift the parking space is to reduce parking loads at TIA, according to the CAAN. In the case of airline companies, the decision shall come into effect from June 27 while the helicopter companies are required to implement it from June 21.