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Kathmandu, January 6: Helicopter companies have suspended all flights to the Sagarmatha area from Sunday. The Air Service Operators Association of Nepal stated on Sunday saying that helicopters will not fly in the Sagarmatha area until security is fully restored.

A few days ago, the Sagarmatha National Park Office, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality and other local youth groups and associations decided to ban commercial flights in the area from January 1.

The Sagarmatha Nature Conservation Park has stated that ban on commercial flights of helicopters in the core and intermediate areas of the park has been imposed due to challenges in forest, environment, wildlife protection and habitat conservation.

Helicopter flights have not been stopped for the rescue of tourists and locals and the transportation of cargo, said the Park.

The Airlines Operators’ Association said it would not fly in the area. The Association said that despite repeated negotiations, they have not been able to reach to a conclusion and locals have blocked the helipad in the Khumbu area by hoasting flags. The Association said the flight was suspended until safety could be guaranteed, saying there was no place to land even if an emergency landing was created, and that the locals have warned to manhandle the crew members and take action if the helicopter landed.

The Association has also warned that short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft flying in the area, i.e. Lukla will gradually suspend their flights if the dispute is not resolved.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued a notice that stopping helicopter flights by the locals is beyond their authority and asked the helicopter operators to operate commercial flights. CAAN has asked the local district administration office to provide security.

People’s News Monitoring Service.