Kathmandu: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has said no flights meant for rescue operations have been prohibited in remote areas beyond the ‘operation hours’.

The recent decision of the CAAN mandates airlines to conduct flights to remote areas only within the fixed time schedule. The decision is said to be for mitigating the risk of air incidents during the monsoon season and enhancing flight safety.

However, the CAAN has been criticized for the move. CAAN spokesperson Jagannath Niraula said that the restriction on flights beyond the operating hours is solely applicable during the monsoon period and is not targeted at rescue flights. The prohibition is just for commercial flights in remote areas. As the CAAN said, typically the ‘operation hours’ for airports based in remote areas begin at 6:30 am and end at 12:30 in the afternoon.