The ongoing dispute between private airlines and Khumbu locals over commercial helicopter operations in the Everest region has escalated, with the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) announcing the suspension of all helicopter services to the area.

The decision comes in response to a ban jointly imposed by the Sagarmatha National Park Office, Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone Management Committee, and other local stakeholders, effective January 1, 2025. The ban restricts commercial helicopter flights to the region, citing noise pollution, disruption to wildlife, and adverse effects on local livelihoods.

The AOAN, representing private airlines, issued a statement on January 5, highlighting failed negotiations to resolve the conflict. The association expressed concerns over increasing hostility from local groups, which it claims have planted flags on helipads and threatened to take action against crew members to obstruct helicopter landings.

“There is no assurance of safety for helicopter operations,” the statement reads. “Even emergency landings, if required, are impossible in current circumstances.”

The AOAN has also warned that STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) flights might be suspended in the coming days if safety guarantees are not provided.

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Mingmachhiri Sherpa, Chairman of Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality, had earlier told New Business Age that the ban aimed to secure as well as create more jobs for trekking guides and porters. Sherpa, however, could not be reached, despite repeated attempts, for comment on the AOAN's latest announcement.

The rural municipality, in a December 16 notice, clarified that only rescue and ceiling flights adhering to park regulations would be permitted beyond Lukla from January 1. It also urged trekking agencies to refrain from selling packages including helicopter flights to the region, warning that it would not take responsibility for disruptions caused by violations.

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 a government directive.

Meanwhile, Bibek Baiju, Information Officer at the Sagarmatha National Park, confirmed that no commercial helicopter flights have landed in the area since January 1, though three mountain flights booked earlier were facilitated.

Established in 1976, Sagarmatha National Park spans 1,148 square kilometers and is home to endangered species such as the snow leopard and red panda, as well as Mount Everest. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The park’s buffer zone, declared in 2002, includes settlements across 275 square kilometers.

The Everest region is a significant revenue source for Nepal’s tourism industry, with helicopter services playing a vital role in catering to trekkers, climbers, and emergency rescue operations. However, the current standoff has strained relations between local stakeholders and aviation operators.