Nepal
2.2 Nepal Aviation
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Overview

Source : AIP (CAAN)


The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) was established as an autonomous body on 31st December 1998 under Civil Aviation Act 1996. CAAN has been set up with the objective of ensuring aviation safe, secure, efficient, regular and environmentally sustainable. It has dual functions: Regulator of civil aviation as well as service provider in the areas of Air Navigation Service and Aerodrome Operations.

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international aerodrome in the country. Biratnagar, Pokhara, Gautam Buddha Airport, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj airports, as the busiest airports, are considered domestic hub airports. Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa is being upgraded to an international airport expected to be completed in 2021 and in Pokhara a new International airport is being build which was planned to be completed in 2021 as well. 21 Airports are short take-off and landing (STOL) airports with Aerodrome flight Information service (AFIS). 17 Airports mentioned below are STOL airports but are not in operation as of 2020. Airports not-in-use may be re-activated during emergencies after authorization by the Civil Aviation Authority.

  1. Baitadi Airport
  2. Langtang Airport
  3. Bajhang Airport
  4. Manang (Humde) Airport
  5. Darchula Airport
  6. Meghauli Airport
  7. Dhorpatan Airport
  8. Mahendranagar Airport
  9. Dolpa Masinechaur Airport
  10. Palungtar Airport
  11. Doti Airport
  12. Rolpa Airport
  13. Jiri Airport
  14. Syangboche Airport
  15. Kangledanda Airport
  16. Tikapur Airport
  17. Baglung Airport

(Source: Index to Aerodromes)

Key airport information may also be found at: https://caanepal.gov.np/aerodromes/domestic-airports and https://www.world-airport-codes.com/ 

For more information on government agency and airport company contact information, please see the following links:  4.1 Government Contact List and 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List.


Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft

The following requirements need to be applied, presented and approved before foreign registered aircraft may enter Nepal.

For regular international scheduled flights operated by foreign airlines into or in transit across Nepal, the following requirements must be met:

  1. The State of the airline must be a party to the International Air Services Transit Agreement and/or the International Air Transport Agreement. Nepal is party to International Air Services Transit Agreement only.
  2. The airline must be eligible to make the flights under the provisions of a bilateral or multilateral agreement to which the State of the airline and Nepal are contracting parties and must have a permit to operate into or in transit across Nepal. Applications for such permits shall be submitted to the Director General of Civil Aviation Authority at least 60 working days before the applicable date.
  3. For the amendments of schedule or revision of the scheduled flight, the request for amendment/ revision shall be submitted at least 7 working days before the applicable date.
  4. Any application submitted with incomplete information shall be summarily rejected.

List of Required Documents For Operation in Nepal by Foreign Carriers/Operators

  1. Letter forwarded by the Ministry responsible for Civil Aviation in concerned country, designating the airlines as the Designated Airline of that country (with conformation of Operating Authorization), to the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (As per the provision made under Air Service Agreement (ASA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nepal and the concerned country, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal i.e. Diplomatic Channel.
  2. A copy of Legal Document that reflects the Substantial Ownership and Effective Control.
  3. Security Manual.
  4. Operation Manual
  5. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  6. A copy of Air Operator Certificate.
  7. A copy of Certificate of Registration of each aircraft involved in operation.
  8. A copy of Certificate of Airworthiness of each aircraft involved in operation.
  9. A copy of Certificate of Insurance covering Third Party Liability of amount not less than US $ 60 Million.
  10. A copy of Simulator Certificate of PI C for Kathmandu Airport, of SID/S IA Procedures, Maps etc.
  11. A copy of Certificate of Insurance ensuring at least Coverage in accordance with the Warsaw Convention, 1929 and amended by the Hague Protocol 1955.
  12. A copy of English Language Proficiency Certificate of PIC if, non-native English Speaker.
  13. Proposed Route Schedule, Frequency, Capacity, Traffic Rights and Tariffs approved by the Responsible Authority of the Concerned Country.
  14. SLOT approval letter from International Airport.
  15. Removal of disabled aircraft plant occupied by International Airport.
  16. A copy of Ground Handling Arrangement and/or Agreement Letter.
  17. Name and Address of the Local Agent/Representative and Authorization Letter.

Rescue and Relief flights

Operators engaging in rescue and relief flights including ambulance flights, search and rescue and other humanitarian flights shall submit an application for rescue and relief flight permission in the format prescribed by the CAAN. However, due to urgency and humanitarian aspect associated with such rescue and relief flights, the permission shall be issued after the submission of the application as soon as possible. Moreover, acute urgencies may render it impossible to submit written application before operating such flights. In such condition, verbal request together with the flight details for rescue and relief flight permission shall be accepted. The application shall be submitted along with the documents enlisted in APPENDIX C for International Flight and APPENDIX F for Domestic Flight as soon as practicable. (Format of the application form has been attached in this manual in APPENDIX D for International flight and APPENDIX E for Domestic Flight) Ref: CAAN, Procedure Manual for Flight Permission


In case of ambulance flights, the name and address of the patient and the doctor/s shall also be submitted along with the documents as mentioned in the Appendix. Depending upon the situation, any designated official of CAAN may grant permission for such type of flight verbally. The report of such permission shall be submitted to the concerned unit of CAAN as soon as possible. The Director General of CAAN shall, in approving such flights, assign a Flight Permission Number (FPN) which should be quoted by the operator / flight crew as and when necessary.

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