06/08/2026
Lukla Airport: The Gateway to Everest😲🏔️
Perched at an altitude of 2,845 meters (9,334 feet) in the heart of the Himalayas, Lukla Airport—officially known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport—is the main aerial gateway to Mount Everest and the Khumbu region. Built in 1964 under the supervision of Sir Edmund Hillary, the airstrip was originally created to transport supplies for schools and hospitals established by the Himalayan Trust.
After the historic first ascent of Everest in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa formed a lasting connection with the Sherpa community. Determined to reduce the region’s isolation, Hillary envisioned an airport that could bring essential goods and services to Khumbu far more efficiently than the weeks-long trek from Kathmandu.
When local farmers declined to sell their valuable farmland, Hillary purchased a steep mountainside terrace instead. The runway was built entirely by hand, with local workers clearing and leveling the terrain. In a memorable effort to compact the loose soil, Hillary reportedly provided local chang beer and encourage workers to perform a synchronized stomping dance.
The airport began scheduled commercial STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) operations in 1971. Its original dirt runway remained in use until 2001, when it was paved with asphalt and modern airport facilities were added. In 2008, the airport was officially renamed Tenzing-Hillary Airport in honor of the legendary mountaineering duo whose vision helped connect the Khumbu region to the world.
From a hand-built mountain airstrip to one of the world’s most famous airports, Tenzing-Hillary Airport stands as a remarkable symbol of determination, innovation, and the enduring legacy of Everest’s pioneers
