Kathmandu, Jan. 1: Communication network meant for air service operation, flight assisting equipment, radar and airport support equipment were not affected by y2k date change-over and all services throughout the kingdom are operating smoothly without any snags.

According to information provided by officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (caan) Uttar Kumar Kafle, the authority had formed a y2k cell last year in view of the problems Nepal’s civil aviation is likely to face and it has all along been doing a lot of homework, has held consultations with concerned technicians at home and abroad, checked all equipment and have had the manufacturers certify y2k compliance.

Coordination was established with the neighbouring countries and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (icao), Bangkok from 6:00 P.M. yesterday till 8:45 this morning by establishing a national y2k traffic management centre at the Tribhuwan International Airport for monitoring potential y2k-triggered problems at domestic airports, airports of other countries and aircrafts in flight and also for maintaining coordination, the caan has stated in its press release.

The press release adds that we are y2k free since 8:45 am today in coordination with China, India and the icao and air services are operating without any hitches.

Likewise, the authority has also said that the contingency stage specified by the icao has now passed.