Drone Cameras Not Allowed on Flights to Kathmandu Citing Security Concerns
असोज ३१, २०८२ ११:१०
Kathmandu: Drone cameras have reportedly been banned from being brought to Kathmandu on domestic flights, citing security reasons. Traveler and photographer Robik Upadhyay said he was not allowed to bring a mini drone from Bhairahawa Airport to Kathmandu, either in his luggage or hand carry.
Security personnel at Bhairahawa Airport told him that drone cameras were not permitted on flights to Kathmandu due to security concerns. “I was stopped from bringing my drone camera, and they said it was due to superior orders. I was told it couldn’t be taken by plane and must be transported by car. Even when I offered to remove the battery to reduce risk, they didn’t allow it,” Upadhyay said.
According to him, three to four other travelers also faced the same restriction. Ironically, Upadhyay had brought a drone camera to Bhairahawa by air just three days earlier without any issue.
However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has denied any such official restriction. Deputy Manager and Information Officer Gyanendra Bhul clarified that drone cameras are allowed on flights unless they exceed the permitted weight limit.
“If the drone camera’s weight exceeds the specified limit, it cannot be carried. Otherwise, there is no restriction. The authority has not banned bringing drone cameras by air,” Bhul told TechPana.
Similarly, Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire said that actions are only taken against drones operated without permission, not against those merely being transported. “There’s a ban on unauthorized drone operations, not on carrying permitted drones,” he said.
A representative from a domestic airline suggested that the heightened scrutiny by security agencies could be a reaction to the increasing number of drones being flown without authorization. However, the representative confirmed that no directive has been issued to airlines prohibiting passengers from carrying drones on flights.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: असोज ३१, २०८२ ११:१०
