The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has once again threatened to suspend all flights to Solukhumbu district, setting Wednesday, January 22, as the proposed date for halting services. This warning follows escalating tensions with the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality over the regulation of commercial helicopter flights in the Everest region.
Citing concerns about noise pollution, disruption to wildlife, and impacts on local livelihoods, the Sagarmatha National Park Office, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone Management Committee, and other stakeholders had collectively enforced a ban on commercial helicopter flights within the park and its buffer zone starting January 1, 2025.
While the park office lifted the ban on January 6 , the rural municipality has maintained its stance, allowing only rescue and ceiling flights that comply with park regulations. A notice issued on December 16 explicitly warned trekking agencies against offering packages that include helicopter services beyond Lukla, emphasizing that the municipality would not be responsible for disruptions caused by violations.
On January 9, the municipality criticized the park office for its unilateral decision to lift the ban, accusing aviation companies of prioritizing profits over the region’s sustainability.
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Earlier, the AOAN issued a statement on January 5 , expressing concerns over the lack of safety guarantees for helicopter operations. The association claimed that local groups have planted flags on helipads and threatened crew members to obstruct flight operations, making even emergency landings unfeasible.
“There is no assurance of safety for helicopter operations under the current circumstances,” the statement read. The AOAN also warned of suspending STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) flights if safety concerns persist.
The recent notice, issued on Wednesday, January 15, echoed the same sentiment.
The ongoing dispute has strained relations between local stakeholders and aviation operators, with no commercial helicopter flights conducted in the region this year.
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The District Administration Office, Solukhumbu, has scheduled a coordination meeting for January 24 to address the issue. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the national aviation regulator, has contested the ban, asserting that air travel regulations fall under its jurisdiction and cannot be enforced without government directives.
Sagarmatha National Park, established in 1976 and spanning 1,148 square kilometers, is home to endangered species such as snow leopards and red pandas, as well as Mount Everest. The park’s buffer zone, declared in 2002, encompasses settlements across 275 square kilometers. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the Everest region generates significant revenue for Nepal’s tourism industry , with helicopter services playing a crucial role in supporting trekkers, climbers, and rescue operations.
