As the trekking and mountaineering season begins, tourist activity in Nepal has increased, but disruptions at Manthali Airport are causing significant challenges for visitors. Due to adverse weather conditions, flights to Lukla, a popular trekking gateway, were canceled on Monday.
Although four flights departed from Manthali in the morning, they were unable to land in Lukla and had to return to Manthali, leaving tourists stranded. The passengers are now forced to wait at the airport, with many facing high costs for food and accommodation. One tourist expressed frustration on social media, mentioning they had to pay NPR 600 for two pieces of bread, with no vegetables inside the sandwich.
Additionally, after flight cancellations, hotel owners raised room rates, claiming rooms were unavailable, leading to unnecessary hardships for the stranded tourists. While Manthali is used as a transit point for those heading to Lukla, the lack of proper infrastructure has become evident. Some tourists have suggested that alternative routes, such as Phaplu, Rumjatar, or Lamidanda, be developed to help tourists reach Lukla by trekking while enjoying views of the surrounding mountains.
Despite the ongoing disruptions, only a few flights took off from Manthali Airport this morning due to the unfavorable weather conditions. Tourists are urging the Nepalese government to manage the tourism sector more effectively, warning that without proper infrastructure development, they will continue to face unnecessary difficulties, ultimately impacting the country’s economic prosperity.
