KATHMANDU, October 31, 2025 – Over 100 aviation professionals from Nepal's rotorcraft community gathered in Kathmandu for a crucial day-long symposium hosted by Airbus Helicopters, aimed at significantly boosting flight safety awareness and operational best practices. Held with the essential backing of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the event focused on ‘Safety and Support & Services’ and provided a platform for regulators, operators, and safety experts to exchange vital insights on accident prevention, data-driven safety systems, and continuous improvement across the sector.
The symposium was officially inaugurated by H.E. Virginie Corteval, Ambassador of France to Nepal, and CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari. Florence Verlut, Head of Aviation Safety and Quality at Airbus Helicopters, delivered a key address, underscoring the company’s comprehensive approach to safety. Verlut stated, "At Airbus, safety is integrated into every decision—from design and production to maintenance, pilot training, and data analytics," further emphasizing that safety is an evolving mindset and that "Symposiums like these are essential to reinforce our shared mission to ensure every helicopter flight is safe." The gathering also featured important contributions from Jérome Ronssin, Head of Light Helicopters Programme, and Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters, South Asia.
The day's agenda featured multiple technical sessions designed to equip participants with advanced safety knowledge. These in-depth discussions covered a wide range of critical topics, including Airbus’s global safety vision and accident statistics, the practical implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS), and Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring (HFDM). Experts also led specialized discussions on aerial work operations, effective maintenance procedures, and crucial decision-making processes in high-stress environments. Complementing the technical learning, the sessions incorporated valuable customer testimonials, allowing Nepali operators to directly share field experiences and best practices with their peers. The event concluded with an important forward-looking session outlining the Airbus Helicopters product safety improvements roadmap, detailing future plans to enhance helicopter reliability and maintenance in the region.
