Lima Adhikari Urges EU Air Safety List Review

Nepal’s continued inclusion on the European Union’s Air Safety List is no longer just an aviation issue, according to Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Lima Adhikari. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Thursday, she argued that the prolonged restriction has weakened Nepal’s international credibility while affecting tourism and limiting opportunities for foreign investment.

More than a decade after Nepal was placed on the EU list in 2013, the country’s national carriers remain unable to operate scheduled flights to European destinations. Adhikari said the issue deserves far greater political and diplomatic attention from the government.

She acknowledged that Nepal has introduced legal, policy and institutional reforms in recent years to improve aviation safety. However, she said those efforts have yet to produce the level of international confidence needed to secure Nepal’s removal from the EU blacklist.

Call for Stronger Diplomatic and Technical Engagement

Addressing the lower house during the zero hour, Adhikari urged the government to move beyond procedural reforms and pursue result-oriented action.

She said Nepal should actively engage the European Union through high-level diplomatic initiatives while ensuring that all required technical reports and safety assessments are submitted on time to strengthen international trust in the country’s aviation oversight.

According to her, rebuilding confidence will require consistent demonstration that Nepal’s aviation safety standards meet internationally accepted benchmarks.

Focus on Institutional Reform

The lawmaker also called for deeper institutional and policy reforms within the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, saying the aviation regulator must become more effective in implementing international safety standards.

She urged the government to invest in modern aviation technology, strengthen the country’s air safety system and expand the capacity of skilled technical personnel, arguing that these measures are essential if Nepal is to restore confidence among international regulators and airlines.