Kathmandu, Feb. 10 -- Japan's civil aviation agency will conduct safety checks of Nepal Airlines Corporation before allowing it to resume service to Kansai International Airport, Osaka, forcing the national flag carrier to postpone the inauguration from February to March-end.

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau will conduct safety checks before granting landing rights to Nepal Airlines, Executive Chairman Madan Kharel said. The civil aviation agency has clearly stated that safety checks are a regular process, and they are conducted as per the standard of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, he said. "It has also clarified that Japan does not follow the European Aviation Safety Agency's aviation safety process," said Kharel.

The Eu...