KATHMANDU, JANUARY 24
Helicopter rescue operations in the Everest region are set to resume from Saturday following a meeting of key stakeholders, including the District Administration Office (DAO), Sagarmatha National Park, helicopter operators, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and security forces. In an effort to resolve the impasse, a stakeholder meeting was convened on January 24, to address the suspension of helicopter operations and find a lasting solution to the dispute.
Helicopter operations in the Everest region, including rescue flights, have been suspended since January 5 due to ongoing disputes between local authorities and aviation regulatory bodies. Local authorities raised concerns about forest conservation, wildlife safety, and environmental impacts in the park's buffer zones, as well as the economic effects of direct flights to Kathmandu bypassing local businesses. Despite several rounds of discussions and negotiations, the restrictions remained in place.
Earlier, on January 15, the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) expressed concerns about the prolonged suspension, stating that it was causing significant financial losses for aviation companies and damaging Nepal's international reputation. The AOAN also warned that if the situation persisted, all Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) airlines operating in Solukhumbu might be forced to suspend their services entirely.
Despite the disputes, Tara Air, Sita Air, and Summit Air said that they would continue to operate flights to Lukla. Tara Air and Sita Air confirmed that they conducted flights on January 21 and will maintain their scheduled STOL services in the region. Similarly, Summit Air announced it would resume its flights to Lukla starting January 26, following the maintenance of its aircraft.
The meeting, held at the DAO in Solukhumbu on Friday, addressed the recent obstruction of helicopter operations in the region. Local authorities agreed to begin removing obstacles from helipads immediately, ensuring uninterrupted rescue flights from Saturday onward. Stakeholders also committed to finalizing an agreement within 15 days regarding the regulation of commercial helicopter operations and protocols for rescue flights directly to Kathmandu.
Solukhumbu Chief District Officer (CDO) Anoj Kumar Ghimire confirmed that rescue flights would resume without delay. "For other commercial flights, stakeholders plan to reach a definitive agreement within the next 15 days," CDO Ghimire said.
Mingma Tshering Sherpa, Chairperson of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, highlighted the local community's support for rescue, sightseeing, and mountain flights. However, he reiterated that the primary concern lies with unregulated commercial helicopter operations.
The Association of Operators of Nepalese Airlines (AOAN) had previously issued a press release stating that due to obstructions, even rescue flights had been halted, with potential implications for STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) flights. This created anger and fraustration among locals, Sherpa noted.
"We conveyed the message that commercial flights require community consensus. While we remain opposed to unregulated commercial flights, we've agreed to resume rescue and non-commercial flights to create a conducive environment for further discussions," Sherpa stated.
The meeting also outlined measures to regulate rescue flights. From Saturday, no direct rescue flights to Kathmandu will be allowed unless medically justified. Patients requiring evacuation must undergo initial assessments at local health posts, which will provide clearance for transfers to Kathmandu if necessary. In critical cases, patients must sign a self-declaration form to confirm the transfer is voluntary and medically essential. Priority care will be available at Lukla Hospital before flights to Kathmandu are arranged, Mingma stated.
Pratap Jung Pandey, first vice-president of AOAN, stated, "Today's meeting was positive. Local authorities will begin removing obstacles at helipads, allowing rescue flights to resume. For other flights, discussions will continue to address all concerns."
Additionally, stakeholders also agreed to draft operational guidelines for rescue flights. These will involve contributions from medical professionals, pilots, technical experts, and local representatives to ensure smooth and efficient rescue operations. The guidelines aim to monitor operators and pilots while providing better regulation through local authorities and security forces.
"To avoid future complications, we are preparing operational guidelines involving local representatives, doctors, and technical experts. Proper management will ensure the well-being of residents, tourists, and operators alike," said Laxman Adhikari, ward chair of Khumbu Rural Municipality-4.
Adhikari underscored the importance of regulating commercial helicopter operations, citing their impact on locals, tourism, and mountaineering. "Unregulated flights have disrupted the lives of Khumbu residents. Our goal is to find a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders, including tourists, porters, guides, hotel operators, and helicopter operators," he said.
The agreement marks a significant step toward resolving disputes and ensuring efficient heli operations in the Everest region.
