Amazing Facts About Lukla Airport(Tenzing Hilary Airport)

World Highest Airport Lukla Airport is situated at an elevation of 2860m at Khumbu Pashanglambhu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu District of Nepal. Lukla is a small settlement at the base of Mount Everest. Lukla means a place with goats and sheep, but due to the airport area at the top of the mountain and settlement, there are no other animals in this region on a large scale.

This is a tiny, busy, and dangerous airport with a very short runway and steep incline. This airport was renamed in 2008 in honor of Sir Eid Mud Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the first human to put foot on Mount Everest.

Lukla/ Tenzing Hillary Airport is the first trekking point of Everest Base Camp Trek and any other peak climbing on this route. This is the most popular and famous airport worldwide because of its mesmerizing height and the uniqueness of its location and hearth warming and jaw-opening landing and pickup. Before Lukla Airport, it was a complex and lengthy journey for trekkers as the only nearest point was Jiri, and trekkers had to difficult walk to reach this starting point of Trekking.

Location:

Tenzing Hillary Airport lies between mountains and hills with an elevation of 9000ft, a small runway of 1500ft long and 65ft in width, and only a 12 percent north-south gradient. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla only occurs in the morning, usually because of risky or bad weather. The weather condition of Lukla quickly affects the landing at the airport. It takes around 35 min to reach Lukla Airport from Kathmandu Airport. Due to the excessive number of flights from the International Airport from Kathmandu, the flight to Lukla is shifted to Manthali Airport of Ramachap District during pick seasons of September To November and March to May. It takes around 25 minutes to reach Lukla From Manali.

12 Things You Don't Know About Lukla/Tenzinghillary Airport:

1. The name Lukla is famous for Sheep and Yak rearing grassland.
2. Lukla Airport was renamed Tenzing Hillary Airport in 2008, and the first two ever to set foot on Mount Everest.
3. Famous mountaineer Sherpas were involved in the construction of this airport.
4. You can only carry 15 kg of luggage during your flight to Lukla.
5. Trekkers had to walk for five days to reach Lukla from Jiri before they started the flight.
6. It is the World's Highest Elevations airport and is renowned for adventurous landing and pickup.
7. The flight to Lukla from Kathmandu Airport amazes you with the heartwarming scene of the mountains and their periphery.
8. There will be more than 60 flights from Kathmandu or Manthali to Lukla Airport.
9. 1500ft runway is only 65ft in width, which is supposed to be crucial for the passage.
10. There is no air navigation or Radar system in Lukla, but radio communication is used for landing and taking off.
11. Only small planes or winter carrying around 20 passengers per flight can land or pick up from this Lukla Airport.
12. The experienced and usual pilots to mountain areas like Sherpas are permitted to take a flight to Lukla.

Is Lukla Airport Dangerous?

Many travelers frequently ask this question about the risk of Lukla Flight. Lukla Airport is not dangerous at all, but it is the most adventurous, thrilling, and jaw-opening lifetime experience during take-off and landing in this Lukla Airport. Due to the height and location of the airport, which is at the base of giant Mount Everest and the runway is between two massive landmasses, there is a real thrill in traveling to Lukla Airport. 

Conclusion:

Lukla/ Tenzing Hillary airport is a dangerous airport with a short runway and risky weather. However, it is worth it to attempt to fly to Lukla because of the heartwarming satisfaction. It is also a getaway to flight Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Gokyo Ri Trek, Everest Three Pass Trek, Everest Base Camp Helicopter Day Tour, and Other Everest Region Trek in Nepal.