Airstrip in Lukla

Hi! I am planning to go Gokyo Feb/March 2004 altogether with 4 of my friends. Does anyone has been travelling recently by plain to Lukla? Is the airstrip still under construction? Are there still any problems with booking and buying the tickets to Lukla and from Lukla? Please advice.

I remeber that 9 years ago it was quite a challenge to find a place at the plane.

Any fresh u-date would on that matter would be higly appreciated.

Rakshi from Poland

Dear Rakshi,
I am Raju Thapa from Explore Tibet and Nepal Trek.This year,I flew from kathmandu to Lukla on 7th sept and flew back from luckla on 16th sept with a Swiss Group.Now, Airport is fine reconstruction is finished.March is peak season so i advise you to book your flight in advance.Septmemebr is not peak season but we have made flight reservation two month before.Some time is quite hard to get seat in plane of Lukla sector.If you are intersted we can help you to make your flight reservation to Lukla .
Please feel free to contact us for futher information.
Thanks
Raju Thapa
Explore Tibet & Nepal Trek
Galkhopakha,Thamel Kathmandu
Tell :00977-1-4351146
cell: 9841219131
website:www.nepaltravels.com
Email:info@nepaltravels.com

The airstrip in Lukla is now tarsealed, no longer the gravel pitch it once was. This is since almost two years ago now. So the landing there is no longer that exciting...
In terms of finding a seat on a plane, it is no longer an issue. There are about three, if not four airlines flying there now. The only issue, as usual, is with the weather. If the Lukla airstirp is covered in clouds, or if the KTD valley is foggy (a very likely occurrence these days), planes will not leave on time. Still, it is amazing how quickly the backlog of passengers is cleared once it is possible to fly.
In conclusion, while you can afford to book your flight once you land in KTD, you should still have one or two days up your sleeve for your trek, just in case you have to wait in Lukla for the weather to clear.
The lodges by the way are much better now compared to 9 years ago, some even have nice sun-rooms for you to sit down and enjoy your cup of tea or hot lemonade when you stop for a break during the day...

Thanks so much for the up-date.

I cannot imagine how much Lukla and Namche have changed in last 10 years. The moment I will see the Himalayas again is coming closer and closer.

Rakshi