KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 15
Flights to and from Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, located in the Solukhumbu district, have been suspended for two consecutive days due to adverse weather conditions.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), no flights have operated to or from the airport since last Monday, following a significant change in weather conditions.
Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Bibas Dahal reported that approximately 800 tourists had flown to Lukla on 90 flights last Sunday. However, since then, no flights have been conducted at the airport, he confirmed.
Tourists visiting the Everest region (Sagarmatha region) have experienced inconveniences as haze continues to disrupt air services.
ATC Dahal stated, "Tourists heading to Lukla are stranded in Manthali, Ramechhap district. Reports indicate that some are still stuck in Kathmandu as well, following the flight disruptions caused by adverse weather."
Helicopters have been landing at Surke, a location just below Lukla, to facilitate transportation for tourists.
CAAN's Manthali Chief Hiron Shah informed that over 1,300 foreign tourists en route to Lukla have been stranded in Manthali for the past two days due to the flight disruptions.
Manthali Airport typically sees operations of around 55 to 60 flights daily during the tourist season. While many stranded tourists are making their way to Khumbu via road from Salleri, the headquarters of Solukhumbu district, others are opting for helicopter services to fly to Surke, Shah added.
