The Engineering Marvel Of Lukla Airport's Pavement

Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, is a small airport in the town of Lukla, in the Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Solukhumbu District, Koshi Province of Nepal. It is considered one of the world's most dangerous airports due to its short runway, which is only 527 meters long and 20 meters wide, and its location on a steep mountainside. The airport was built in 1964 with the help of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest, who wanted to make it easier for trekkers and climbers to reach the Everest region. The paving of the runway, which is made of asphalt, was not completed until 2001.

The airport was built in 1964

The Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, was built in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary. The airport is located in the town of Lukla, in Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Solukhumbu District, Koshi Province of Nepal.

The construction of the airport was initially meant to take place on flat farmland, but local farmers did not want to give up their land. As a result, Hillary purchased the land for the airport's current location from local Sherpas for $2,650. The Sherpa people, known for their mountaineering skills, were involved in the construction of the airport.

The airport did not begin operations until 1971, and the runway was not paved until 2001. The short runway at Lukla Airport has a length of 527 meters and a width of 20 meters, making it accessible only to helicopters and small, fixed-wing, short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft. The airport is considered the gateway to Mount Everest and is the starting point for treks to the Everest Base Camp.

Due to its location and short runway, Lukla Airport has been referred to as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The airport is surrounded by steep mountains and has a steep drop at one end, making landing and takeoff challenging. Only experienced pilots who have completed a significant number of short-takeoff-and-landing missions are allowed to operate at the airport.

It was constructed by Sir Edmund Hillary

The Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, was constructed by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest. Hillary was inspired to build the airport after witnessing the challenging and dangerous journey trekkers and climbers had to endure to reach the Everest region. Before the airport was constructed, trekkers had to hike for several days from Kathmandu to reach the Everest region. This journey was not only time-consuming but also treacherous, especially during the monsoon season.

In 1963, Sir Edmund Hillary took the initiative to build an airport in the Everest region to ease travel to the area. The airport was constructed in 1964 under Hillary's supervision. However, it was not operational until September 1971, when a plane finally touched down on its runway. The construction of the airport was a significant undertaking, as the runway had to be carved out of the side of a mountain, and the airport's supplies had to be transported by mule.

Sir Edmund Hillary bought the land for the airport from local Sherpas for $2,650 to $2,700. The local farmers refused to give up their flat farmland, so the airport had to be built on its current mountainside location. With the involvement of the Sherpa people, known for their mountaineering expertise, Sir Edmund Hillary was able to construct the airport. The Tenzing-Hillary Airport is perched at an elevation of 9,334 ft (2,845 m) to 9,337 ft (2,846 m), making it challenging for aircraft to generate enough lift for takeoff and landing.

The airport's paved asphalt runway is only accessible to helicopters and small, fixed-wing, short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft. The runway is just 527 m (1,729 ft) long and 20 m (65 ft) to 30 m (98 ft) wide, with a steep 11.7% to 12% gradient. These factors, along with the surrounding mountains and unpredictable weather conditions, contribute to the airport's reputation as one of the most dangerous in the world.

The runway is 527m long and 20m wide

The runway at Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport, is 527m long and 20m wide. The airport is considered the gateway to Mount Everest, and is the starting point for treks to the mountain's base camp. It is located in the town of Lukla in the Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Solukhumbu District, Koshi Province of Nepal.

The airport is considered one of the most dangerous in the world, due to its location and short runway. The runway is perched on a mountainside at an altitude of 2,800m (9,186ft), with a 12-degree slope from north to south. The elevation of the airport is 9,334 ft (2,845 m) high, where the air density is relatively low. This can affect the performance of aircraft, impacting their ability to generate lift during takeoff and landing.

The runway is only accessible to helicopters and small, fixed-wing, short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft. Due to the difficulties of landing at the airport, only experienced pilots who have completed a high number of STOL missions and have significant experience in Nepal are allowed to land at the airport.

The airport was built in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary, who bought the land from local Sherpas. The paving of the runway with asphalt began in 2001. The short runway can pose challenges for aircraft landing and taking off, and it is used by pedestrians, who cross it to pass through either side.

It is considered the gateway to Mount Everest

Lukla Airport, officially known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport, is a small yet vital gateway to the Mount Everest region. Located in the town of Lukla in the Khumbu region of northeastern Nepal, it serves as the primary entry point for trekkers and mountaineers heading towards Mount Everest. The airport is surrounded by rugged terrain, with the runway positioned on a hillside.

The airport is renowned for its challenging operating conditions due to its short runway, steep gradient, and the surrounding mountainous terrain. The runway is only 527 meters (1,729 feet) long and 20 meters (65 feet) wide, with a significant slope to assist in landing and takeoff. The weather is often unpredictable, with frequent cloud cover, high winds, and sudden changes in visibility. These factors contribute to the airport's reputation as one of the most dangerous and challenging in the world.

Despite the dangers, Lukla Airport is a crucial transportation hub for tourists and climbers visiting the Mount Everest region. It offers a convenient and time-saving alternative to the long and arduous trek to Lukla, which can take up to five days. The most common and convenient way to get to Lukla is by taking a short flight from Kathmandu, which offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas.

The airport was constructed in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary, one of the first two men to summit Mount Everest. It was named Tenzing-Hillary Airport in 2008 in honour of Hillary and his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay. The runway was paved in 2001 to improve safety and efficiency, allowing more aircraft to land in various weather conditions.

Lukla Airport plays a significant role in facilitating tourism and supporting the local economy. It provides essential connectivity, enabling more climbers and trekkers to attempt the Mount Everest trek. The influx of visitors has also led to cultural exchanges and increased global awareness of the Sherpa community and their traditions.

The airport has been the site of multiple fatal accidents

Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, has been the site of numerous fatal accidents. The airport has been referred to as the most dangerous airport in the world due to its location and short runway. The runway is only 527 metres (1,729 feet) long and 20 metres (65 feet) wide, with a 12-degree slope from north to south. The airport is located at a high altitude of 2,800-2,859 metres (9,186 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by 7,000-metre-high peaks. These factors contribute to the challenging conditions and high risk of accidents.

The first incident occurred in 1973, 11 years after the airport was built. A Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 crashed during landing and was damaged beyond repair. Although there were no injuries or fatalities in this incident, it marked the beginning of a history of deadly accidents at Lukla Airport.

Two of the deadliest crashes at the airport took place in 2008 and 2012. In 2008, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 operated by Yeti Airlines was approaching Lukla on a domestic flight from Kathmandu. Due to poor visibility and the lack of radar signalling, the aircraft crashed into rocks near the runway, caught fire, and resulted in multiple fatalities. Out of 19 passengers and crew, only the captain survived.

Another tragic incident occurred in 2012, when a Dornier 228 228-202 passenger plane operated by Sita Air crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport, located not far from Tenzing-Hillary Airport. The aircraft failed to lift off the ground and crashed into an area southeast of the runway, resulting in the deaths of all 19 people onboard.

In addition to these accidents, there have been several other incidents resulting in fatalities at or near Lukla Airport. The treacherous conditions, including high altitude, turbulent weather, and challenging terrain, have contributed to the airport's reputation as one of the most dangerous in the world. More than 50 people have lost their lives during take-offs, landings, or while approaching the airport.

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