The recent crash of a Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ-200, claiming 18 lives, marks Nepal’s 105th aviation disaster since 1955, raising the death toll from air disasters to 932. This incident, the most severe in 18 months, occurred shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport, bound for Pokhara. Despite perfect weather conditions, the aircraft veered off the runway, crashing into a gorge. The tragedy underscores the country’s poor air safety record, exacerbated by lax regulations and financial instability within airlines.
The European Commission’s decade-long ban on Nepalese airlines due to safety concerns remains in place, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory reform. Public outrage has mounted, with citizens and experts calling for the bifurcation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to distinguish operational and regulatory functions. An emergency Cabinet meeting has initiated a probe, but the systemic issues plaguing Nepal’s aviation sector demand comprehensive and immediate action to prevent further loss of life.