Adverse Weather Disrupts Flights at Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla, Causing Tourist Distress

The Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla has experienced significant flight disruptions over the past ten days due to adverse weather conditions, causing considerable stress for tourists. The ongoing fog and poor visibility have halted air services, severely impacting travelers in the Khumbu region.

Divas Dahal, an air controller at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) in Lukla, reported that both airplanes and helicopters have been grounded since June 8. "This is the time when foreign tourists typically return to Kathmandu after visiting the Sagarmatha area. The number of tourists leaving the district is higher than arrivals, but adverse weather has severely impacted air services," Dahal explained. Thick fog has led to the cancellation of all flight schedules for the past ten days.

Despite the adverse conditions at Lukla, some helicopters have managed to operate from the Surke helipad, located below Lukla, where visibility is relatively clearer. According to Dahal, the geographical specificity of Lukla contributes to frequent dense fog during this season.

Tourists have alternative options to reach Kathmandu. They can undertake a four-hour trek down from Lukla airport to catch vehicles to Kathmandu. Another option is to travel by jeep from Thamdanda, which lies 70 km away from Salleri Bazaar, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu. The fare for a jeep ride from Salleri to Kathmandu, covering a distance of 275 km, is Rs 2,000 per person.

The ongoing weather-related disruptions at Tenzing Hillary Airport highlight the challenges posed by the region's unique geographical and climatic conditions, impacting both the local tourism industry and travelers.