KATHMANDU: The recent aircraft disruptions at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla have caused great discomfort among visitors visiting the area. Unfavorable weather conditions, including fog and low visibility, have resulted in aircraft cancellations for 10 days in a row, causing significant inconvenience to passengers destined for the Khumbu region.
Divas Dahal, an air controller at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) in Lukla, attributed the disruption to the persistent fog and reduced visibility, which rendered both airplanes and helicopters unable to operate flights since June 8. The adverse weather conditions have particularly impacted foreign tourists returning to Kathmandu after exploring the Sagarmatha area, with more departures than arrivals during this period.
Some helicopters have been able to operate off of the Surke helipad, which is situated further down from Lukla, despite the difficulties experienced by Lukla Airport. Dahal noted that Surke experiences relatively clearer conditions compared to Lukla, although dense fog remains a recurring issue in the region during this season due to its geographical specificity.
Travelers stranded by the flight disruptions have alternative transportation options available, such as trekking for four hours to reach vehicles waiting in Lukla or opting for a jeep ride from Thamdanda to Kathmandu. Thamdanda, situated 70 kilometers away from Salleri bazaar, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, offers travelers the chance to embark on a road journey covering the 275-kilometer distance to Kathmandu for a fare of Rs 2,000 per person.
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