KATHMANDU: After a two-day halt due to unfavorable weather in the Khumbu region of the Solukhumbu district, flights on the Manthali-Lukla route have resumed. Poor weather caused Lukla Airport to close for two days, which affected many travelers.
After conditions improved, flights resumed Wednesday at 9 AM, according to Hiranya Sah, Deputy Manager of the Manthali Civil Aviation Authority. Within an hour after the resumption, he said, over ten flights had successfully taken off.
The weather conditions on Monday and Tuesday caused the Manthali-Lukla route's domestic flights to be shut down, leaving more than 1,000 visitors stranded. Their journey to the well-liked trekking location should be made easier with the return of planes.
During the spring (March to May) and fall (October to December) seasons, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has set up a seasonal flight schedule from Manthali in Ramechhap to Lukla. The enormous demand for flights to Lukla, a gateway for hikers traveling to the Everest region, is what this schedule attempts to meet.
The Manthali-Lukla route is flown by Sita, Tara, and Summit flights, with each carrier carrying roughly 14–15 passengers. These flights can carry about 60 passengers to their destination in Lukla on a normal day, demonstrating the route's significance for tourism.
Air travel in this area is particularly vulnerable to abrupt changes in weather, as seen by the recent weather issues. The swift restoration of airline operations shows how sensitive civil aviation authorities are to passengers' requirements.
For local companies and towns that rely on tourism for a living, the restart of flights is particularly essential. Now that more hikers may move forward with their plans, the increase in tourists will help the local economy.
All things considered, the successful restart of the Manthali-Lukla flights is indicative of the continuous efforts to keep this crucial tourism route connected, guaranteeing that visitors may take advantage of the breathtaking scenery and exciting activities the Khumbu region has to offer.
.jpg)
