The History of Lukla and its Famous Airport:
Early History and Establishment:
The transformation of Lukla from a small Sherpa village to hosting one of the world's most famous and challenging airports has a remarkable story driven by tourism and the needs of the Everest region.
Until the early 1960s, the famous town of Lukla was nothing but a very basic village in the region with very few inhabitants. If you look into the early image of Lukla you would see it was a traditional rustic village with few typical Sherpa houses surrounded by farming terraces. The name ‘LUKLA’ comes from the Sherpa word which means ‘Grazing Pasture for Cattles’ it also means a place with abundant goats and sheep.
In 1953, after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa successfully conquered Mt. Everest under the British Expedition Team, there came a transformation. It is said that the idea for the airport emerged in the early 1960s when Hillary recognized the logistical challenges of accessing the remote Khumbu region. During that time, to get to Khumu Valley, you were to walk from Jiri. Edmund Hillary realized then that transporting supplies to the people of Khumbu was incredibly difficult. He initiated the project to build an airstrip in Lukla which initially began in 1964.
History states that it was really a challenge for Hillary to persuade the locals to buy suitable land for the airport. After a lot of disapproval from the locals, Hillary managed to purchase a steeply sloping plot at Lukla, the only best available option. The construction process began quickly, and in 1964 the basic unpaved runway was constructed that measured only 527 meters / 1,729 feet.
This basic unpaved airstrip, until the 1970s was used for landing big Russian Helicopter like Mi-8 that could take 30/35 people. It was in September 1971 when the first plane landed at Lukla airport. When the first plane landed. However, the airstrip remained unpaved with gravel until 2001 by which time the tourism was already at its height. The trekkers and mountaineers who traveled to Khumbu Valley until 2001 all traveled in Mi-8 Helicopters.
The Lukla airstrip was finally blacktopped in 2001, which made the operation of smooth commercial flights possible. Yeti Airlines was the first airline that began scheduled flights to Lukla in 2001. Over the years they became a pioneer in commercial operations to this challenging small mountain airstrip.
In January 2008, to honor the first Everest Summiters, the Nepalese government renamed it as TENZING-HILLARY AIRPORT. If truth be told, Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla has played a crucial role in the development of the Khumbu region. Since its inception, the airport has transformed Lukla into a bustling hub for trekkers and mountaineers. Though Lukla is now tagged as the world's most dangerous airport, in reality, it is one of the most thrilling airports in the world.
Runway Details
- Length: 527 meters (1,729 feet)
- Width: 20 meters (66 feet)
- Surface: Asphalt
- Gradient: 12% grade (one of the world's most extreme)
What Makes Lukla Airport Unique:
Lukla Airport (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) is often mistakenly termed the ‘world's most dangerous airport, ’ but in reality, it is one of the most thrilling and uniquely challenging airports in the world. Let me explain what makes Lukla Airport unique.
Location and Accessibility
It is situated in Lukla at the elevation of 2,860 meters / 9,383 feet which is surrounded by majestic hills and mountains. The runway is inclined, which is only 527 meters / 1,729 feet, and that demands precision from pilots. Its isolated location, challenging terrain, and inclined runaway make every landing and takeoff a thrilling experience.
Getting to Lukla isn’t straightforward. Most travelers during the peak season time drive to Ramechhap and take a short, 18-minute flight to Lukla from Manthali. This Manthali option was changed only in 2019 by the authority since Lukla flights created heavy air traffic in the season time that hindered the international commercial flights. During the off season time travelers take 35 minutes but thrilling flight from Kathmandu. You can also drive to Jiri and trek a historical trail to Phakding that may consume more time though. The recent option in case of flight cancellation is to drive to Surke and trek to Phakding, which can be a long drive but a great alternative to flights.
Weather Conditions
We all know that the weather in the Himalayas is famously unpredictable. In a similar way, Lukla cannot be an exception. Sudden fog, strong winds, or rain can lead to flight delays or cancellations. The weather certainly plays a crucial role in adding a layer of uncertainty.
To tell you very honestly, Lukla Airport essentially requires perfect weather and the expert skill of the pilots. The weather, location, terrain, and the airport itself make this airport very thrilling among aviators and travelers. But hats off to all the highly trained pilots who always ensure reliable operations for thousands of travelers heading to Everest each year.
Scenic View and Thrilling Experience.
Significantly, rather than sheer danger, this short flight to Lukla offers an unforgettable experience. For many travelers, the flight to or from Lukla is the highlight of their trip. This scenic flight takes off on a small Twin Otter or Dornier airplane, which takes around 14/15 passengers. As you fly over the valley, you will be startled by the view of majestic hills, deep gorges, villages scattered over the green hills, and terraced fields.
Many travelers give mixed reviews of their emotions when they fly to or from Lukla airport. They say it is both terrifying and thrilling. However, most of them acknowledge that it felt like entering into another world, and the scenery was so captivating that they often forgot their nervousness as they stared out the window.
Shortly after, the snow-capped Himalayan peaks rise majestically around you. Eventually, the most thrilling part is to see the tiny inclined runway in the small mountainous town of Lukla. The technical landing in this sloppy airstrip is certainly a most thrilling experience. All these add up to making the flight to Lukla the most beautiful experience not to be missed.
Is Lukla Airport Safe?
Flying to Lukla Airport (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) is generally safe. Thousands of people fly in and out of Lukla Airport every day during the peak seasons of Spring and Autumn. It actually operates all through the year. At other times of the year, besides the trekking and climbing season, all these flights operate as cargo that supplies essentials to the people of Khumbu Valley. However, there are challenges that would make flying to Lukla Airport quite technical, which make it one of the world's most remarkable airports.
The Challenges:
- Weather dependency
- Short Runway Limitations, which is 527 meters / 1,729 feet with inclined slope.
- High-altitude operations at 2,845 meters / 9,334 feet.
- Growing tourist numbers
- Limited expansion possibilities due to terrain
Safety Measures:
In regard to safety measures at Lukla airport, over the years, the authority has been pretty precise with strict protocols. Below are listed basic protocols that are strictly sustained.
- To operate flights at Lukla Airport, only experienced pilots with specialized training are authorized.
- Strict weather requirements are required for both takeoff and landing
- Modern navigation equipment has been installed to make things more convenient and safe.
- Regular maintenance of the dated flights and short runway is mandatory, and it is done without delay.
- During peak season time, strict flight scheduling is done for efficient traffic control
- Reporting of all flights after the allocated maximum mileage is mandatory, failure to which may result in suspension from flying.
Safety Record:
Since 2001 till date there is no question that few incidents have occurred which was indeed very tragic and have cost the lives of many. However, on the other hand, thousands of successful flights have operated with precision and safety. As mentioned above, the airport follows strict safety protocols for the safety of people flying in and out of Lukla. Significantly, you may ask why there is so much cancellation history? it is primarily because Lukla flights operate during morning hours when weather conditions are most stable.
Furthermore, the airport's safety record has improved significantly over the years with better technology and protocols.
NOTE: We highly recommend all travelers to have a contingency days if you are on your quest to Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Expedition, or any trip to Sagarmatha National Park. These extra days serve as a valuable buffer against potential flight cancellations or delays. The contingency days certainly allow you to finish your Everest mission without unnecessary stress or rushed adjustments to your schedule.
Cost of Lukla flights:
- The tickers for all foreign travelers can range from USD 200 to USD 220 per person per flight.
- For Indian nationals, the Tickets can range from NPR 19,000 to NPR 20,000 per person per flight.
- For Nepali (locals), the cost may range from NPR 6,000 to 10,000 per person per flight
Lukla Airport’s Role in Adventure Tourism:
Lukla Airport is not just a place where you fly in and out for your Everest Adventures, it is essentially a lifeline of the Khumbu Valley. It stands as a fundamental connection that sustains Khumbu Valley and the local communities living there. During peak season times, when there are flight cancellations for a couple of days, it creates a chain reaction that severely impacts the valley overall. Though Helicopters come into rescue during bad weather conditions but cannot completely compensate or cannot be preferred as the best alternative to flights.
For travelers, flying to Lukla Airport is the best and very convenient option to driving or trekking via Jiri. Lukla has long been the starting point for journeys to Everest Base Camp and beyond. Without this airport, trekking in the region would have required more number of days, which not everyone can afford. The convenience of flying to Lukla has certainly made the Everest adventure easily accessible to millions of travelers from around the world.
Most significantly, Lukla Airport plays a crucial role in supporting the local economy. Over the years, it has served as the cornerstone in evolving adventure tourism, which sustains the region and the region's livelihood.
Flight Operations from Different Airports to Lukla:
In the year 2019, the Nepal government shifted all Lukla flight operations from Nepal's only International Airport to Manthali Airport in the Ramechhap district. This major operational change was implemented primarily due to several factors:
- Lukla flights were creating severe congestion at Kathmandu Airport due to the high volume of daily flights flying to Lukla. This disrupted the overall international flights, building excessive inconvenience to the passengers.
- This operational change of Lukla flights to Manthali helped in the better management of air traffic, which also facilitated better flight safety supervision.
- Lastly, as per the airlines, they prefer to fly from Manthali airport which is shorter in distance to Lukla as compared to Kathmandu airport. Furthermore, Manthali airport guarantees fewer delays and cancellations as compared to Kathmandu Airport due to its perfect location, which is well aligned with Lukla Airport.
Due to this, during the peak seasons of Spring and Autumn, all flights to Lukla are operated from Manthali Airport in the Ramechhap district. Manthali is 132 kilometers east of Kathmandu and takes approximately 4/5 hours to drive from Kathmandu. This strategic shift has immensely helped Nepal's Only International Airport to maintain efficient operations for its international flights.
NOTE: However, in the low season or during the off-season period, flights to Lukla resume their operations directly from Kathmandu.
