Nepal’s civil aviation sector continues to remain on the European Union (EU) aviation safety blacklist, according to the EU’s latest update released on June 3, 2025.
In its biannual review, the EU once again included all airlines registered under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) on its list of carriers banned from operating within EU airspace. Nepali airlines have been blacklisted since 2013 due to persistent safety concerns.
Despite years of assurances, the Government of Nepal has not made sufficient progress to address the issues flagged by the EU. The blacklist is based on airlines’ adherence to international safety standards, particularly those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The continued inclusion means Nepali airlines, including the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation, are barred from flying to any EU member country. This restriction has severely limited the international expansion and revenue potential of Nepal’s national flag carrier.
The EU’s safety blacklist is mostly populated by airlines from developing countries, a trend that reinforces negative perceptions about aviation safety in those regions. For Nepal, the ban has not only affected airline operations but also damaged the country’s aviation reputation on the global stage.
Although successive governments have pledged to resolve the issue—often highlighting aviation reform in annual budget speeches—progress has remained sluggish. The current fiscal year’s budget once again commits to upgrading safety standards and aligning with EU requirements.
One of the key reform initiatives currently underway involves two bills introduced in Parliament aimed at restructuring CAAN. The proposed legislation seeks to separate CAAN’s regulatory and service delivery roles—a long-standing recommendation by both the EU and ICAO intended to enhance transparency and safety oversight.
Until Nepal enacts tangible reforms and fully complies with international aviation safety standards, its airlines are likely to remain grounded from EU airspace.
