A recent high-level study and recommendations committee on civil aviation sector improvement has found that the government’s investment in aviation security is weak. The committee examined regular investments and expenditures on aviation safety management and noted that most of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s (CAAN) spending is focused on physical infrastructure rather than security upgrades.
The report states:
“While the construction of physical structures such as runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings contributes to airport capacity expansion, it simultaneously increases the need for enhanced safety. However, no concrete development or modernization plan for aviation security has been implemented alongside these infrastructure projects.”
The study highlighted outdated CNS (Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance) equipment at Tribhuvan International Airport, which has been in operation for over a decade, with no significant replacement initiatives. The persistent risk of bird strikes under the airport’s wildlife hazard also remains a major safety concern. Yet, CAAN’s capital investment and expenditure over the past five years do not reflect any measures addressing these issues.
The report emphasizes that the true measure of a developed civil aviation system is its aviation safety level. It recommends that capital budgets and expenditures for aviation security should be audited alongside physical infrastructure, ensuring that aviation safety receives due investment priority. Without such measures, physical infrastructure alone cannot guarantee airport safety.
According to the Office of the Auditor General’s 66th Annual Report (2082), CAAN’s bank balances include NPR 349.8 crore of idle funds. Despite this, Tribhuvan International Airport continues to face safety risks from bird strikes, indicating a lack of concrete and long-term preparedness for aviation hazards.
The report also notes:
“Aircraft operating at Tribhuvan International Airport are taking off and landing amid wildlife hazards and bird strike risks. Globally, advanced technologies such as aviation radar and anti-drone systems are used to mitigate these risks. Given CAAN’s idle funds exceeding NPR 300 crore, the authority should be encouraged to take proactive measures to address aviation hazards.”
The committee’s study cross-checked findings with Auditor General reports and concluded that airport security management is weak and regulatory oversight is concerning. The report highlighted:
“While capacity expansion projects at the airport are underway, there is no coordination or monitoring of safety management under the project. Even the Aerodrome Safety Department under CAAN’s Aviation Security Directorate has no regulatory role in these projects.”
Currently, security monitoring of trucks entering through perimeter gates is carried out by contractor staff themselves, reflecting gaps in actual safety management. The report emphasizes that if provisions for security management are properly implemented, these infrastructure projects could become opportunities to systematically enhance aviation safety.
Finally, the study recommends greater transparency in CAAN’s financial data related to regulatory and service-providing functions, highlighting the urgent need for prioritized investment in aviation safety alongside ongoing infrastructure development.