High air traffic at the only international airport of the country TIA has affected Tenzing-Hillary airport in Solukhumbu which is the only gateway to the world’s highest peak Sagarmatha (Mount Everest). The high traffic has shown gradual decrease in the flights that have caused problems for tourists and other passengers at Lukla.
According to Civil Aviation Authority at Tenzing-Hillary airport, previously around 40 daily flights used to operate but due to air traffic in the TIA the number has reduced to less than 30 daily flight. TIA operates both domestic and international flight daily and the outcome of over air traffic has resulted to up to 2 hours of delay and some resulting to be cancelled.
ATC officer of Lukla airport states that due to delay of 2-3 hours, daily more than dozen of flights are cancelled. Tara air station in charge said that up to 16 flights are conducted during peak season but lately it has been halved. Passengers take ticket for 12 flights a day but only 8 flights can be operated.
Currently, Tara, Sita and Summit air operate at Lukla airport and decrement in flight by 50% have caused problem for passengers travelling to and from Khumbu region.
CAA at Lukla stated that last week around 30 flight and 70 helicopter flights took place and the traffic at the airport have caused negative impact to Khumbu region in peak tourism season.
