Press Release
Issued by .
March 23, 2013
A single-engine aircraft of Air Kasthamandap has conducted a test flight to Syangboche in the Everest region. On March 18, the New Zealand-built PAC-750XL made a successful test operation at the airstrip located at an elevation of 12,402 ft—the fourth highest in the world and the highest in Nepal.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said that it would permit aircraft of the “type” for commercial cargo and passenger charter service after evaluating its test flight report. Air Kasthamandap said commercial operations would begin in two weeks after they get the green light from the authorities. This 10-seater manufactured by Pacific Aerospace will be the second single-engine aircraft to operate in the Himalaya and will provide the closest air connection to those travelling to the Everest region. Till the 1990s, the airport was served by a Swiss designed six-seater Pilatus Porter.
In recent years, Nepal Airlines and Tara Air have served the village of Namche Bazaar in Solukhumbu district through the 1,312-ft long dirt airstrip at Syangboche. The flights were discontinued for lack of single-engine aircraft. The Syangboche airstrip is among the world's highest airports, behind Qamdo Bangda Airport in Tibet (14,219 ft), El Alto International Airport in Bolivia (13,323 ft) and Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Peru (12,552 ft). According to reports, Nagqu Dagring Airport, under construction in Tibet at an altitude of 14,554 ft, will be named the world's highest airport upon completion.
CAAN's director general Tri Ratna Manandhar said that twin-engine planes cannot land at Syangboche airstrip due to limited facilities, and hence have not been licensed for commercial operations.
“In the past, Pilatus Porters used to conduct regular charter flights to Syangboche, and they used to receive a tremendous response from foreign visitors,” he said. “In fact, high-end tourists were just about the only passengers on the flights to Syangboche where they stayed at the Hotel Everest View.”
Captain Pradeep Shrestha, who conducted the test flight with the New Zealand single-engine aircraft, said the airstrip was generally not viewed as safe due to its short take off and landing (STOL) nature, and it was not advisable to fly aircraft other than the Pilatus.
“It was very difficult for us to change the perception. But finally, we have done it.” According to him, it was never difficult to land in Syangboche, though the short airfield gives the initial impression that take-off is tricky. “However, we experienced that take-off was even easier,” said Shrestha, who has 30 years' experience in flying both small planes and jets. He has served as senior captain at Nepal Airlines.
After the ongoing maintenance,the Syangboche strip will be extended by 250 ft. “The runway can be lengthened up to 1,600 ft,” said Shrestha. The airstrip is a seven-minute flight—or a two-day trek—from Lukla.
The company also plans to fly tourists and evacuate mountaineers and trekkers to Kathmandu from the Everest region. “We see good prospects for highland tourism.
After all, everyone wants to see one of the great wonders of the world—Mt Everest—and enjoy the beauty of the Khumbu region from the closest point reachable by plane,” Shrestha said. There are two renowned hotels—Hotel Everest View and Panorama Hotel—at a distance of a 15-minute walk from the airfield. They offer panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Khumbila and Kwangde, among other peaks. In addition, Syangboche airstrip will provide an alternative way out for trekkers who are frequently stranded in Lukla due to bad weather. Trekkers can be rescued to Ramechhap and other areas. “Each year, hundreds of trekkers are trapped in Lukla for days on end due to poor weather, a poor annual ritual. Syangboche will provide a second option to these people,” said Shrestha.
