Lukla Airport (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)

About Lukla Airport 

Lukla Airport, popularly known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport, is one of the most challenging airports in the world. It is a domestic airport in Lukla, which is an essential hub for tourism, as it is the starting point for the Everest Base Camp trek, as well as other treks in the Khumbu region. The Asphalt runway of Lukla Airport is 527 meters (1,729 feet) long and 30 meters (98 feet) wide, making it a small yet busy airport. Its location and the length of the runway make it more dangerous. 

Every day more than 50 flights take off and land in this airport during peak seasons in good weather. Since the weather here is unpredictable, flight cancelations are frequent incidences. The airport provides basic facilities, including a small terminal, a few shops, and cafes. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla typically takes about 30-40 minutes. The size of the runway and the airport’s infrastructure limit the number of flights it can handle daily.

The flight to Lukla usually takes off from Kathmandu airport however, during peak trekking seasons flights are diverted to Ramechhap airport to reduce traffic congestion. In the low season, you can directly get a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu.

 

History of Lukla Airport

This airport was renamed in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa after they were able to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953 for the first time. This airport was constructed in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary to facilitate transportation for his Himalayan Trust.

Hillary initially wanted to build the airport on flat farmland but the local residents didn’t give up their land. So he decided to build it in its current position by purchasing land from local sherpas as well as including them in the construction process. The airport was finally renamed as Tenzing- Hillary Airport in 2008 to mark their contribution in this airport and conquering the summit of Mt. Everest. 

 

 

Geography

Lukla Airport is located in Khumbu region, Solukhumbu District, Province No. 1, Nepal. It is perched at an altitude of 2,860 meters (9,383 feet) above sea level. The coordinates are approximately 27.6868° N, 86.7294° E, and is roughly 138 kilometers (86 miles) away from the northeast of Kathmandu.

The geography of Lukla is marked by steep slopes and dense forests of Rhododendron and pine. The town is located at the border of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its diverse wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard and the Himalayan tahr.

 

What is the weather like in Lukla?

Lukla Airport is notorious for its challenging weather conditions, significantly impacting flight operations. Lukla experiences unpredictable and often rapidly changing weather conditions, including fog, strong winds, and cloud cover, making flights in and out of the airport risky. 

Winds often bring dangerous crosswinds or tailwinds, leading to frequent airport closures later in the morning so, flights are usually planned for early morning when conditions are more stable. The airport's lack of advanced navigation systems, such as radar, means that pilots must rely entirely on visual flight rules (VFR) for landing and takeoff. So, when the visibility deteriorates, instantaneous closures are frequent without any announcements. The high altitude of the airport adds another layer of difficulty, as low air pressure complicates aircraft handling.

Flights are more likely to get canceled during monsoon seasons because of visibility issues along with other severe and unpredictable weather conditions in Lukla. These factors make Lukla Airport one of the most difficult and dangerous airports to operate in.

 

What are the common causes of accidents at Lukla Airport?

Due to its challenging location and conditions, Lukla Airport has a history of accidents and incidents, though safety measures have improved over the years. Despite the risks, the airport remains one of the busiest in Nepal, especially during the trekking seasons (spring and autumn).

The insane combination of a short runway, unpredictable weather, high altitude, and lack of advanced navigation aids makes the airport one of the most dangerous in the world.

Here are some of the common causes of accidents.

Weather

Sudden changes in weather, particularly visibility and wind conditions, which can quickly become hazardous, often lead to accidents. So, keeping safety in check flights can sometimes be delayed for 2-3 days.

Runway Challenges

Since the airport is situated at the mountain, the lack of proper runway is pretty evident. The short and sloped runway along with high terrain on one end and a steep drop on the other, leaves little room for error. 

All thanks to the skilled pilots who have been flying passengers safely all these years.

Human Errors 

Pilots must heavily rely on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) without the aid of radar or advanced navigation systems which increases the margin for error. The pilot’s skill and situational awareness play a vital role in handling the aircraft. 

Mournfully, there have been notable accidents in the past which still haunt pilots and travelers to this day although, improvements in safety protocols continue to be made.

 

Here are some of the significant ones with heavy casualties:

• October 8, 2008 Yeti Airlines Crash: A Yeti Airlines Twin Otter crashed while attempting to land in poor visibility. The aircraft caught fire upon impact, resulting in the deaths of 18 of the 19 people on board. The only survivor was the pilot.
• May 27, 2017, Summit Air Crash: A Summit Air (formerly Goma Air) Let an L-410 Turbolet crashed while attempting to land at Lukla in foggy conditions. The aircraft struck trees on approach, killing both pilots and injuring one passenger.
• April 14, 2019 Summit Air Accident: A Summit Air aircraft veered off the runway during takeoff and collided with two helicopters parked nearby. The crash resulted in the deaths of three people, including the co-pilot and two security personnel on the ground.

 

What are the safety standards for Lukla Airport?

Considering all the risk factors, The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has set a certain standard for successful landing and take-off in Lukla Airport. Lukla flights are only operated during early mornings when the skies are clear and regularly close from mid to late mornings to avoid any casualties. 

According to CAAN, those pilots who have completed at least 100 short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) missions, have over one year of STOL experience in Nepal and have completed ten flights into Lukla with a certified instructor pilot, are eligible to land at the airport.

Additionally, the asphalt runway has a significant gradient, with a 12% incline, which helps planes slow down when landing and gain speed quickly during takeoff. The runway starts at a lower elevation and ends at a higher one which aids to unique and challenging nature of the airport. 

 

Is it safe to fly to Lukla?

It’s no surprise if you’re wondering “Is it really ok to fly to Lukla?” after learning about all the risky factors and challenges at Lukla Airport. Honestly, after considering all the risks, the answer is yes! Looking at the past records, it’s not as dangerous as you might be expecting.

Tara Airlines, Sita Air, and Summit Air are popular airlines in Nepal that operate flights to Lukla and mostly all are considered safe at this time.

The main thing that makes Lukla Airport intimidating is the changing weather. Otherwise, flying there isn’t very risky. Due to the conditions, only helicopters and small propeller planes can land and take off from Lukla. Despite the challenges, places like Lukla offer a real adventure, so it’s definitely worth trying.

 

Fascinating Insights About Lukla Airport

Due to its lofty altitude, precarious geographical setting, and remarkably brief runway, Lukla is often cited as one of the most dangerous airports globally. One end of this runway is anchored by a towering mountain wall, while the opposite side drops precipitously into the valley below.

Before the airport's existence, the only route to Lukla from Kathmandu was a laborious journey by road to Jiri, followed by a grueling five-day hike. It wasn't until 1964 that the airport was established, although operations only commenced in 1971. Remarkably, the runway wasn't paved until 2001.

Spanning just 527 meters in length and 20 meters in width, the runway's dimensions present significant challenges for pilots during both takeoff and landing. In an extraordinary twist, pedestrians frequently traverse this short runway, a critical passage for those moving between the two sides of the airport.

The creation of Lukla Airport is credited to Sir Edmund Hillary, not the Nepalese government. The land where the airport now stands was purchased by Hillary from local Sherpas for $2,650, after local farmers refused to relinquish their fertile fields. With the collaboration of the Sherpa community, renowned for their mountaineering prowess, Hillary was able to bring the airport to fruition.

Lukla Airport lacks modern air navigation systems or radar; instead, pilots rely on radio communication to guide their landings and takeoffs. Over the course of more than two decades, the airport was consistently ranked as the world's most dangerous by "Most Extreme Airports," a program aired on The History Channel.

The weather at Lukla is notoriously unpredictable, often forcing travelers to disembark from planes at the last moment, even as they prepare for takeoff. Sometimes trekkers need to get off the plane at the last minute because of sudden weather changes and there have been few instances of flights being delayed for days.

 

Finally,

If you're going to Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Ri, Lukla Airport is your main entry point. This flight is almost necessary unless you decide to take a different route. Alternative routes, like driving to Jiri, Phaplu, or Salleri, which takes take a much longer duration.

Taking a flight to Lukla a.k.a the “Gateway to Adventure” is so worth it for several reasons like, it is time efficient, offers scenic experience, provides access to remote and beautiful trekking areas that are otherwise difficult to reach, and adds the thrill and excitement of your adventure.

Feel free to contact us for more travel-related information and arrangements at www.hikingbees.com 

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Safe travels!