SOLUKHUMBU: A flight finally resumed at Faplu Airport in the tourist district of Solukhumbu on Wednesday, following a 17-day suspension due to adverse weather conditions.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the disruption began on June 9, when continuous rainfall and dense fog made flight operations impossible.
The suspension was lifted after a Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) Twin Otter aircraft successfully flew from Kathmandu to Faplu, carrying 12 passengers. The aircraft returned to Kathmandu with 10 passengers, informed Ayush Thapa, a senior officer at CAAN.
“The weather in the region is highly unpredictable, often leading to long interruptions in flight schedules,” said Thapa. He added that the recent 17-day closure was due to persistent rain and poor visibility.
The prolonged suspension had serious consequences for locals. Resident Padam Shrestha shared that it was extremely challenging to transport critically ill patients and those with disabilities to Kathmandu for treatment.
Local health workers expressed concern that patients with life-threatening conditions faced heightened risks due to the lack of air connectivity.
Another local, Pemba Sherpa, said some patients referred to Kathmandu had to endure hours-long road journeys to reach hospitals in Okhaldhunga or Biratnagar due to the flight halt.
While Lukla Airport is the primary entry point for tourists heading to the Everest region, Faplu serves as a viable alternative.
However, travel entrepreneur Mingmar Sherpa noted that many tourists have been forced to alter their plans due to the frequent weather-related disruptions at Faplu.
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