Lukla Airport The Gateway of Mount Everest

Lukla Airport The Gateway of Mount Everest is the ‘World’s most amazing and unique airstrip on the lap of the Himalayas’Lukla Airport was named Tenzing & Hillary Airport two decades ago, in tribute to late legendary mountaineers. The first conqueror of Mt. Everest, who stepped on top of the world’s highest peaks on May 29th, 1953.

The British Expedition was led by John Hunt the first British Mountaineering Expedition to Mount Everest. The expedition team had to walk from outside the Kathmandu Valley rim to Everest base camp.

Then it was located at Gorakshep 5,180 m / 16,995 feet, a distance of 4 km. / 2.5 miles; to the present Everest base camp.
It was quite a long journey to reach the world’s highest mountain base camp.

The expedition teams had to spend a few months for acclimatization and preparation before making the summit bid.

Lukla Airport started operating flights in 1971 after it was built in 1964 with the immense support of Sir Edmund Hillary. Then the airport took a new turn having a proper air terminal and properly paved runway in 2001.

The airstrip or runway is 527 m (1,729 feet) × 30 m (98 feet) with an 11.7% gradient. The airport stands at an elevation of 2,845 m / 9,334 feet high in the eastern part of Lukla town.

One of the most unique runways due to its high mountainous terrains, where only smaller aircraft can land and take off. The airport is suitable for smaller planes like STOL (Short Take-off and Landing). At present various domestic airlines operate flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, using smaller aircraft. Likewise, Pilatus Porter, Twin Otter, Dornier, and other similar types of models are safe for mountainous airports like Lukla.

Where is Lukla Airport Located?

Lukla Airport or Tenzing & Hillary Airport is located Far North Mid-East of Nepal Himalayan region within the Solu-Khumbu district. Approx. 135 kilometers air distance from Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport, a flight duration of 30 to 35 minutes, and 73 nautical miles. The shortest means is flying to Lukla for the Everest base camp trek and to other various adventure destinations around Khumbu.

Lukla is about 367 km. / 228 miles road and driving distance, the drive does not reach actually to Lukla. The motorable road has reached as far as Tham-Danda which is about a day’s walk from Tham-Danda to Lukla.

In the early days, trekkers had to drive up to Jiri town and follow the southern region of Everest around Solu. But for the past 4 decades, most trekkers and mountaineers have taken the comfort of flying into Lukla. Which saves much time in a week or less, but quite an interesting walk and drives to reach the Khumbu area.

From Lukla to Everest base camp is approx. 62 k.m. or 38.5 miles one way.
A busy town, is the main gateway for various adventures and treks to the famous Everest base camp.

Why is Lukla Airport famous and popular?

Lukla is the quickest and most accessible route to reach Everest base camp and other adventurous destinations. Lukla is located around the mid-hills of Mt. Everest with other famous groups of peaks. Lukla with its only airport makes it one of the busiest and most popular spots to reach various higher adventure destinations.

Where thousands of adventurers, trekker, and climbers, as well as mountaineers, starts and end the treks at Lukla. Lukla is the vantage point for all types of adventure activities from trekking and peak climbing to major mountaineering.

Visitors from around the world fly to Lukla which is the only way shortest way to complete one’s dream destinations. Being located in the high Khumbu region where all major peaks and the world’s tallest mountains are situated. Lukla is one of the sought destinations for all types of adventures as well as to explore the local immense Buddhist cultures.

Why is Lukla Airport so dangerous?

Lukla airport is not as dangerous as people have advertised in guidebooks and travel magazines. Any airport around the mountainous region might seem dangerous to all travelers if it was so dangerous. Why thousands of trekkers, mountaineers, and adventurers, as well as local Sherpa fly to Lukla every season of the year. The word dangerous is quite exaggerated or overstated for Lukla Airport by many Social Media, making it much more dramatic.

Where all airports around the world can be dangerous if it is not handled carefully with various safety precautions. Apart from the airport, some people feel scared of flying even in bigger airplanes like Boeing or Airbus. Lukla Tenzing & Hillary may look dangerous for fresh new travelers due to its small and short runways.

All safety measures are carefully checked and taken care, of during the high peak seasons of spring and autumn. The Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport is the busiest air station in Nepal for domestic flights. Where various local airlines operate dozens of flights within a few-hour gap when the day is clear and promising.

It is not the airport that looks dangerous, where the pilot needs to be very experienced to fly and land. Especially in a mountainous zone, as the plane is higher and lower than mid-hills sometimes, the danger is always there.

However, the Nepalese pilot has decades of experience flying throughout the Himalayan terrains and sometimes in between the mountains.

So, Vertex Holiday would like to clarify the confusion and misunderstanding regarding Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport being dangerous. It is a safe airport with a short runway, suitable only for smaller aircraft that operate for these types of mountain airports.

How dangerous is Lukla Airport?

Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport as stated above is not as dangerous as it seems and looks by outside visitors. The only dangerous situation may occur when flying in bad and unfavorable weather conditions. But the air tower on both ends does not allow this sort of situation to fly in worse weather.

Some airlines’ professional and expert pilots do fly sometimes when the day is overcast, as long the landing visibility is clear. The dangerous word seems quite absurd for Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport or any airport around the high Himalayan region. Where all crew members of airlines and Civil Aviation are fully aware of safety and precautionary measures.

In any place around the world, airports can be dangerous if there is a lack of safety measures and negligence; from the airport technician or pilots.

So it is hard and difficult to prove that Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport is dangerous. It all depends upon the safety and precautionary measures of both pilot and airport personnel; as well as depending on how old are the aircraft.

Lukla Airport crash History:

It is hard and difficult to put into words the crash history that has taken place at Lukla Airport. But the truth and facts have to be exposed so that visitors can be well prepared, before choosing the holiday.

Mishaps and disasters can happen anytime and in any place around the world but in the case of Lukla Airport. The airport is not dangerous for no reason, in the first place, accidents have occurred in the past few years.

So far plane crash at Lukla airport and surrounding areas have taken a toll of seven fatal incidents; with over 50 passengers and crew members have died.

The reason and problem, due to its high-altitude position, conditions at the airport were quite turbulent. Nearly 50 % of all scheduled afternoon flights are canceled because of poor visibility.

The aircraft that fly to Lukla or any mountainous region can only accommodate smaller turboprops, with 16 passengers. The aircraft models, such as De Havilland DHC-6, Twin Otters, Pilatus PC-6 Porters, Dornier Do-228s, and L-410 Turbo-Lets.

The first crash took place in 1984, and a Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 crash-landed. It was not able to be repaired, none of the three crew and passengers were hurt. This was the beginning of a tumultuous history of deadly incidents at Lukla Airport.

Two of the deadliest airplane accident happened at Lukla Airport, in 2008 and 2012. Out of all 19 passengers and crew, only the captain survived.

The other incident occurred on September 28th, 2012. The flight was on its way to Lukla Airport, but it happened near Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport. Where all 17 passengers of Sita Air and both pilot and crew members died.

Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport to Everest Base Camp trek:

From Lukla to Everest base camp takes about 11 to 12 days having leisure rest days for acclimatization. Covering 124 km. or 76 miles both ways from Lukla to Lukla, the start and finishing point of the trek.

Trekkers and mountaineers fly to Lukla for various adventure destinations around the high Khumbu of Everest region. The main flow of trekkers makes it to the Everest base camp, which is one of the most popular adventure destinations.

The walk follows the main straightforward route to Everest base camp having several overnight stops at designated places. Following the standard itinerary and guidelines, the trek leads to Phakding village, and then to the famous Namche Bazaar.

Most trekkers spend a few overnights at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization at the height of 3,440 m / 11, 286 feet. From Namche Bazaar walk continues to Tengboche or Deboche the main overnight halts amidst beautiful scenery of snow-capped peaks. Tengboche one of the highlights of the trek, is located en route to Everest base camp a great place with a majestic monastery.

Trek then leads beyond Pangboche village to Dingboche or Pheriche, slowly the adventure leads higher to Lobuche. From Lobuche to Gorakshep, and then to Everest base camp, located at 5,364 m / 17, 598 feet. Then heading back to Gorakshep for an overnight stop, the next morning a steep climb up to Kalapathar rocky hill. A famous and best viewpoint at 5,643 m / 18, 514 feet high for a close look at Mt. Everest. As well as for grand views of adjoining surrounding giant peaks.

On completing the major highlights of the adventure return journey back to Lukla for a sweeping short flight to Kathmandu.