Nepal Airlines Employees Protest Against CEO, Call for Resignation

A group of Nepal Airlines employees has staged a protest, blocking the CEO, Yuvraj Adhikari, from entering the company’s headquarters. The workers, affiliated with a union, accuse Adhikari of mismanagement and have listed several grievances, including alleged operational and managerial failures.

The protest focuses on the recent decision by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to open groundhandling rights at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport to competition. Nepal Airlines had previously enjoyed a monopoly on groundhandling services at the airport, contributing significantly to its revenue. The group also claims that Adhikari neglected maintenance on some aircraft, made arbitrary appointments, and demoralized the permanent workforce.

One of the major concerns raised by the protestors is the mishandling of parked Chinese-manufactured aircraft and spare parts, which they say were left in a careless condition. The European Union Safety Agency (EASA) extended a ban on Nepalese airlines flying into EU airports, citing safety deficiencies. EASA had previously indicated that splitting CAAN into two entities, a service provider and regulator, was a prerequisite for lifting the flight ban.

Leaked correspondence revealed that EASA identified several safety concerns during an audit and urged corrective actions at Nepal Airlines. The airline’s active fleet includes two A320-200s, two A330-200s, and two DHC-6-300s. Reports suggest that one A320-200 was grounded due to engine issues, with only three flight cycles left before engine replacement.

The union calls for Adhikari’s resignation, citing the impact of critical issues on Nepal Airlines under his leadership. Adhikari has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.