Adventure · Lukla
Watch the first flights land at Lukla
Stand by the fence of Tenzing-Hillary Airport at dawn and watch small aircraft land uphill on a runway of about 527 m, unload in minutes and roar back down the slope into the gorge. It explains, better than any statistic, why Lukla flights depend on the weather.
The runway at Lukla runs up a slope of roughly 12 percent from the edge of a drop above the Dudh Koshi to a stone wall at the top. Pilots land uphill, which slows the aircraft quickly, and take off downhill, using the slope to gain speed. There is no room for a go-around once committed. Only pilots with specific training and experience fly the route, and they fly only by sight.
On a clear morning in October or April, aircraft arrive in waves. Each one lands, swings onto the small apron, drops its passengers and bags, loads the next group and is airborne again within minutes. Porters stand ready with baskets, ground staff shout names and weights, and the whole performance is over before the cloud comes up the valley. Good viewing spots are along the fence near the terminal and from the terraces of lodges above it.
Come early, because the busiest window is usually the first two or three hours after dawn. Keep clear of the runway and fence, and do not fly drones; the airspace is controlled. If you are flying out yourself the next day, watching the operation the afternoon before also helps you understand why the airline asks you to be at the terminal ready to move as soon as your aircraft lands.
Good for
Questions
Why is the Lukla runway sloped?
Because there was no flat ground. The strip was cleared on a hillside shelf in 1964, and the slope, roughly 12 percent, became part of how it works: aircraft land uphill to slow down quickly and take off downhill to gain speed on a runway of only about 527 m. It is one of the shortest and steepest commercial runways in the world.
Is it safe to fly to Lukla?
Lukla has a difficult approach and a history of accidents, mostly in poor weather. Airlines fly only in visual conditions with specially trained pilots, and delays happen because they will not fly when cloud closes the valley. Choosing the first morning flights, accepting cancellations calmly and using established carriers are the best steps a traveller can take. Check current status before you travel.
Can I watch planes at Lukla without flying that day?
Yes. The fence along the airport and lodge terraces above the terminal give clear views of landings and take-offs. Many trekkers spend their last afternoon or the morning of a weather delay watching the flights. Stay outside the fence, keep away from the runway ends, and never fly drones near the airport.
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