KATHMANDU: Tourists in Solukhumbu district are facing difficulties due to ongoing flight disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions. The Tenjing Hillary Airport, commonly known as Lukla Airport, has been unable to operate flights due to poor visibility resulting from thick haze. Tourist guides report that visitors have been waiting for flights for several days without success, exacerbating their distress.
Dawafuti Sherpa, the owner of Paradise Lodge, corroborated these reports, highlighting the challenges faced by foreign visitors due to disruptions in air services, particularly at Lukla. Despite the airport's capacity to handle up to 54 flights daily, Airport chief Umesh Panthi disclosed that no flights were able to operate on Friday, with only a few flights taking off on Saturday.
However, helicopters have continued to operate regular flights, offering some relief to stranded travelers. To operate flights at Tenjing Hillary Airport, a minimum visibility of five kilometers is required. The airport management stated that more than 300 flights, including helicopters, are conducted at the airport, making it one of the most utilized airports for tourists heading to the Sagarmatha region.
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