Lamidanda Airport (IATA-LDN, ICAO-VNLD), one of the STOL (Short Take off and Landing) airfields of the country is waiting for the completion of blacktopping of its runway. The airport has been out of operation for more than 6 months due to the ongoing constructional works.
The airport situated at Lamidanda of Khotang District has been serving the locals with effective air service. Lamidanda is also the most wonderful tourism destination among the many others around the country.
To continue the smooth operation at the airport, runway renovation has been initiated from the month of Baisakh this year however, the enhancement project is yet to be completed.
The materials required for the blacktopping of Lamidanda Airport are available from Dudhkoshi River. According to the official from the airport, it will take a week for fetching the essentials construction materials for the runway renovation. After that the crusher will level the runway to make it ready for blacktopping. The time required for renovation of the runway is unpredictable due to the complexity in getting the materials on time.
Previously, Nepal Airlines and Tara Air operated schedule flights to Lamidanda from Kathmandu and Biratnagar. Currently, some helicopter operators operate making a night stop at Lamidanda airport.
The airport has recorded fewer incidents however, a Tara Air DHC-6 Twin Otter, registered 9N-AFX, crashed into Palunge Hill during a domestic flight from Lamidanda Airport (LDN) to Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM) on 15 December, 2010 killing all 19 passengers and crew on board.
At present, the passengers can use the nearest alternative airport for the air service. The nearest airports to Lamidanda are Rumjatar Airport (8.09miles), Phaplu Airport (19.03 miles), Lukla Airport (30.28 miles), Kangel Airport, Tumlingtar Airport (32.43 miles) and Jiri Airport (37.52 miles).
