KATHMANDU: The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) and the Aeronautical Society of Nepal (AeSN) have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the unified development, safety, and modernisation of Nepal's aviation sector, the two organisations announced.

The MoU was signed on June 15, bringing together two aviation bodies under a shared commitment to strengthen the industry's capacity, technical standards, and long-term competitiveness.

AOAN, established in 2015 as the primary representative body of Nepal's airline operators, works to promote the overall interests of aviation operators and industry stakeholders. AeSN, founded in 2018, contributes to technical knowledge, research, and professional development in the aeronautical field. The two organisations said they signed the agreement to pool their experience and expertise toward the overall development, unity, and consolidation of Nepal's aviation sector.

The partnership is framed against the backdrop of rapid global change in the aviation industry, where digital transformation, automation, sustainability, data-driven decision making, environmental accountability, and new technologies are reshaping how airlines and airports operate. Both organisations said Nepal's aviation sector must transform accordingly to meet future demands and challenges.

Under the MoU, AOAN and AeSN will collaborate across 12 areas: overall capacity development and leadership promotion in the aviation sector; training and capacity building in aviation operations, engineering, maintenance, safety management, and new technologies; developing skilled human resources to international standards; programmes for students, young professionals, and future leaders; promoting safety, sustainability, innovation, and research; developing a safety culture across the aviation sector; encouraging sustainable aviation, research, technical study, and knowledge production; expanding cooperation in digitalisation, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies; promoting unity, coordination, and knowledge sharing across the aviation sector; strengthening relationships among industry bodies, academic institutions, technical communities, and other stakeholders; organising seminars, conferences, workshops, and technical interaction programmes; and conducting knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and policy dialogue at national and international aviation events.

AOAN Chairman Pratap Jung Pande called on all stakeholders to join the shared mission of making Nepal's aviation sector unified, competitive, safe, and capable of meeting future challenges.