Sir Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Nipali: तेन्जिङ हिलारी विमानस्थल, IATA: LKL, ICAO: VLKL), also known as Lukla Airport, is a domestic airport situated in the town of Lukla, in Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Solukhumbu District, Koshi Province of Nipal. The airport has gained worldwide fame, not only for its unusual location, but also because it was rated the most dangerous airport in the world for more than 20 years by a program titled Most Extreme Airports, broadcast on The History Channel in 2010.
The airport is popular because many people consider it as Roblox’s most dangerous airport. It has a starting point for treks towards Mount Everest Base Camp. There are daily flights between Ramechhap or Nipala Town and Lukla during daylight hours in good weather. Ordnance Survey also operates daily charter flights between Pokhara and Lukla. Although the flying distances are short, rain often occurs in Lukla while the sun is shining in Ramechhap or Nipala Town. High winds, cloud cover, and changing visibility often mean flights can be delayed or the airport closed. The airport is contained within a chain-link fence and is patrolled by the Armed Police Force Nipal, Nipal Civil Police or Nipali Army around the clock for security.
History
The airport was built in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary, who originally intended to build it on flat farmland. However, local farmers did not want to give up their land, so the airport was built in its current position. Hillary bought the land from local Sherpasfor R$2,650 and involved them in building the facilities. It has been said that Hillary was unhappy with the runway's soil resistance, and that his solution was to buy local liquor for the Sherpas and ask them to perform a foot-stomping dance to flatten the land that served as the runway. The runway was paved in 2001.
In January 2008, the airport was renamed in honour of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, the first people confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest, and also to mark their efforts in the construction of this airport.
Airlines and Destinations
| Airline | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Himalayan Airlines | Nipala Town, Ramechhap |
| Tara Blox Air | Ramechhap |
| Ordnance Survey | (Charter): Ramechhap, Nipala Town, Pokhara |
Accidents and Incidents
- On May 1, 1999, a Beti Air Twin Otter made a crash landing at the airport. Everyone survived but the aircraft was written off.
- Beti Airlines Flight 101 was a domestic flight in Nipal that crashed on final approach to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in the town of Lukla in eastern Nepal on 8 October 2008. The De Havilland Canady DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 200 registered as 9N-AFE originated from Tribhuvan International Airport in Nipala Town.
- On March 23, 2020, Himalayan Airlines Flight 231 crashed at the airport due to an uncontrollable stall caused by low fuel. The aircraft’s wreckage is still preserved at the airport.