Lukla Tenzing Hillary Airport

June 19, 2025

Table of Contents

The Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, Everest Region, has been named the most dangerous airport in the world by many authorities. But how dangerous is it?

History of Luka Airport

Early mountaineers had to journey from Kathmandu to Everest overland, adding many days to the long expedition weeks required to attempt to conquer the mountain. Good coming into the region also took the same long, arduous route as any products or people going out of the area.

After successfully summiting Everest along with his companion and guide, Tenzing Norgay, Edmund Hillary was so taken by the Sherpa people that he made it his responsibility to pay back to the people without whom he would not have succeeded in his quest.

Along with a school and hospital, Hillary was aware that the people suffered hardship because of the long journey required to be made to the Terai area and the capital of the country. His idea then was to build an airport that would aid people in their daily lives. Certainly, in 1964 when the airport was built, Hillary could not have imagined that one day it would bring in thousands of trekkers and mountaineers.

Although Hillary had hoped to build the airport on flat land, that limited amount of land was already used for farming, and the farmers were not keen to give up their land for something as modern and unheard of as an airport. Finally, a runway was constructed on high, narrow land between the mountains. Finally paved in 2001, the airport was renamed the Hillary Tenzing Airport in 2008 after Hillary died in the same year and almost two decades after the death of Tenzing Norgay.

The Lukla Airport Today

Lukla Airport Khumbu — The runway of Lukla Airport

Today the airport sees dozens of take-offs and landings daily. People are goods have come to rely on this entrance into the Everest Region and ultimately to Mt. Everest.

But what makes it so dangerous? Lying at 9,337 ft / 2,846 m, it is not the highest airport in the world. That accolade goes to Daocheng Yading Airport in Tibet at almost twice the height.

But what makes the airport at Lukla so unique is its close proximity to the mountains, its narrow approach path with a steep incline, and its very short runway—combined with weather that can change at a drop of a hat. High winds and low-lying clouds can reduce visibility in an instant, causing delays and cancellations on a regular basis. With such changeable weather, the safest time to fly is in the morning. Demand is such that flights keep running until the afternoon during the busy seasons. There are no flights at night.

However, this small airport, more of an airstrip with only one runway, is extremely busy and well-known in hiking and climbing circles.

Lukla is a gateway to Everest Base Camp Trek

Lukla Airport Facts

Elevation: 2845 m | 9334 ft
Runway: Asphalt paved
Runway length: 527 m | 1729 ft
Runway width: 30 m | 98 ft
Gradient: 11.7 %
Air traffic service: Aerodrome Flight Information Service
Flight time: 6:30 am to 3:00 pm
Number of flights per day: 50+

Most flights in Lukla are passenger planes bringing trekkers to the area. There are limited flights for cargo. All flights into Lukla come from Kathmandu and are operated by:

Summit Air
Nepal Air
Simrik Air
Tara Air
Sita Air.

There is space for only four short takeoff and landing twin otter planes at any given time. Plus, a couple of helicopters are located in a different location, 140 meters north of the control tower.

Airlines and Destinations at Lukla Airport

Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport, serves as the main gateway for trekkers and mountaineers heading to Everest Base Camp and other parts of the Khumbu region. Due to its remote location and operational challenges, only a select number of airlines operate flights to and from this airport.

Airlines Operating to and from Lukla Airport

Tara Air
- Aircraft Used: De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Dornier 228.
- Destinations:
  - Ramechhap (Manthali Airport): Currently the primary departure and arrival point for flights to Lukla, especially during the peak trekking season. This shift aims to reduce congestion at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
  - Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport): Flights from Kathmandu operate primarily during off-peak seasons or when weather conditions in Ramechhap are unsuitable.
- Frequency: Multiple daily flights, weather permitting.
Summit Air
- Aircraft Used: Let L-410 Turbolet.
- Destinations:
  - Ramechhap (Manthali Airport): Summit Air also predominantly operates from Ramechhap during peak trekking seasons.
  - Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport): Limited operations during off-peak seasons.
- Frequency: Frequent flights during peak trekking months (March-May and September-November).
Sita Air
- Aircraft Used: Dornier 228.
- Destinations:
  - Ramechhap (Manthali Airport): Like Tara and Summit Air, Sita Air shifted its operations to Ramechhap to minimize flight delays caused by Kathmandu’s congestion.
  - Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport): Occasionally used as an alternative departure point.
- Frequency: Offers multiple daily flights, particularly during peak trekking seasons.

Operational Shifts: Kathmandu to Ramechhap

In recent years, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has mandated a seasonal shift of Lukla flights from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport to Ramechhap’s Manthali Airport. This change was implemented to:

Reduce air traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Minimize delays and cancellations caused by Kathmandu’s busy airspace.
Improve flight scheduling reliability during peak trekking seasons.

Important Notes for Travelers

Ramechhap is located approximately 132 km from Kathmandu, requiring a 4-5 hour drive. Many airlines offer transportation packages to Manthali as part of the flight ticket.
Travelers are advised to plan additional travel time and stay overnight in Ramechhap when catching early morning flights to Lukla.

Alternative Travel Options

Helicopter Services
- Several private helicopter operators offer services between Kathmandu and Lukla, particularly during peak seasons or when weather conditions disrupt fixed-wing flights.
- Helicopters are more expensive but provide a flexible and reliable option for reaching Lukla in adverse conditions.
Overland Routes
- For travelers looking to avoid flights altogether, trekking from Jiri or Phaplu is a viable option, though it adds several days to the journey.

Lukla Airport – No room for error

Lukla Airport has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous airports globally, and its history is marked by a series of accidents and incidents that underline the challenges of operating in such an extreme environment. Factors like challenging topography, rapidly changing weather conditions, and the short, sloped runway contribute significantly to the risks.

Date	Airlines	Call Sign	Fatality
1973-10-15	Royal Nepal Airlines	9N ABG	0
1991-06-09	Royal Nepal Airlines	9N ABA	0
1992-09-26	Royal Nepal Airlines	9N ACI	0
2004-05-25	Yeti Airlines	9N AFD	3
2004-10-01	Sita Airlines	9N AHD	0
2008-10-08	Yeti Airlines	9N AFE	18
2010-10-12	Sita Airlines	9N AHB	0
2013-09-26	Air Dynasty Helicopter	9N AEX	0
2017-05-27	Summit Airlines	9N AKY	2

All these airlines operate twin otter propeller planes as the area is unsuitable for jet engine planes. Pilots are well used to flying in these mountainous conditions and with these kinds of planes.

Lukla Airport experiences a higher-than-average rate of incidents compared to other airports, primarily due to its location and operational conditions. A study conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) noted that over a span of 15 years, there were 11 recorded accidents and incidents in the Lukla region. This translates to an average of nearly one incident per year, though most are minor or non-fatal.

There is a helicopter landing pad 140 meters north of the control tower, which is utilized by an ever-growing demand for helicopter tours and emergency services.

Getting to Lukla by Air

In order to cater to the high number of flights in and out and free up space in Kathmandu on its own limited tarmac, flights to Lukla now depart from Ramchhap in the eastern Terai area of the country. This means a road journey of xx hours, departing Kathmandu around 1 or 2 am to make it to Ramchhap for early morning flights.

This brings its own difficulties as currently there is very limited accommodation at Ramchhap for use in case of flight delays. It also requires a rather uncomfortable night on the road before the first day of trekking. Helicopter trips to Lukla are now possible, drastically reducing the hours spent traveling from Kathmandu to Lukla.

Flight Cancellation

As mentioned, the weather is an important factor when flying into high-altitude mountain settings. Cancellations and postponements are frequent. Lukla can often get very busy if there is a few days of bad weather. Perhaps it adds to the adventure. However, missing an international flight is never fun, so we recommend that trekkers build in some days at the end of their trek and not have an international flight too soon after the scheduled Lukla to Kathmandu flight. If your flight is on time, you can spend some more days in Kathmandu relaxing or shopping, but if you are delayed, you will not miss your international flight by building in extra time!

Safety Net

In case of long delays (it has been known for bad weather to close in and delay flights for up to 10 days), there is the option of chartering a helicopter from Lukla. This is an expensive option of between USD 2,000 and 2,500 for a five-seater helicopter. And demand will be high for helicopter seats at that time. However, if your flight is cancelled, you can claim back 100% of the money from the airline you made your booking with.

Facilities and Infrastructure at Lukla Airport

Lukla Airport, officially known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport, operates with basic yet functional facilities that are tailored to its challenging location and extreme conditions. However, the airport faces significant limitations in terms of technological advancements and infrastructure.

Runway Specifications and Limitations

Runway Dimensions:
The single asphalt runway is 527 meters (1,729 feet) long and 20 meters (65 feet) wide, with an 11.7% gradient. Its steep incline aids in takeoff, but the terrain leaves no room for pilot error, with a mountain wall at one end and a deep valley at the other.

Lack of Advanced Navigation Systems:
Lukla Airport operates under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), as it lacks radar systems and sophisticated air navigation aids. This restricts flights to clear daylight conditions with good visibility, making it one of the most weather-dependent airports globally.

Lighting:
The absence of runway lights limits operations to daylight hours, which further constrains flight schedules.

Terminal Facilities

Basic Amenities:
The terminal includes essential facilities such as check-in counters, waiting areas, and basic restrooms. It is functional but lacks modern airport conveniences like lounges, restaurants, or shops.

Baggage Handling:
The airport relies on manual baggage handling, which can lead to delays, particularly during the peak trekking seasons.

Planned Expansions:
Efforts are underway to expand the terminal to enhance passenger facilities and accommodate growing traffic. However, updates on these developments have been limited.

Helipads and Aircraft Parking

Current Setup:
The airport has one helipad, primarily used for emergency evacuations and helicopter operations.

Planned Helipad Expansion:
A project to construct five additional helipads was announced to alleviate congestion and improve operational efficiency. Completion updates on this development remain unclear.