Civil aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has notified domestic airline operating flights to Lukla to continue the flights from Ramechhap airport.
CAAN had instructed domestic airline operator to conduct morning Lukla flights from Manthali Airport, Ramechhap during TIA runway rehabilitation work that started from April 1st. CAAN is now looking to give continuity to the flight operation even after the runway rehabilitation work completes.
CAAN has released notice urging airlines to give continuity to the flight so as to minimize the traffic congestion of the country’s sole international airport Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
Lukla is the favorite destination for majority of tourists so; there is always hectic flight schedule for Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla. Almost 100 flights (including helicopter flights) for Lukla is conducting daily by the domestic airline companies during peak tourism season while over 20 flights are conducted during normal season.
However, stakeholders have stated that operating flights from Manthali will be troublesome for the passengers as monsoon is about to start and roads to the airport are not properly managed and passenger also complained about flight distance and fare along the route do not match.
The airport is situated on the bank of Tama Koshi River in Manthali, headquarters of Ramechaap District and is the closest airport of the eastern region to connect Kathmandu at an elevation of 493 m. /1617 ft. above mean sea level. The airport has Bituminous Paved (Asphalt Concrete) runway with its dimension of 520 x 20 meters aligned to 030 degrees and 210 degrees.
The airport can accommodate three small aircrafts like DHC6 Twin Otter, Harbin Y12, Dornier DO228, LET L410 and Cessna Grand Caravan C208 at the time.
