Lukla is bustling with trekkers as the autumn tourism season gets underway, with growing numbers of international visitors heading to the Everest region. Tenzing-Hillary Airport is crowded with travellers from across the world, and demand for flights between Lukla and Kathmandu has made tickets increasingly difficult to secure.

From early morning, the airport fills with trekkers arriving from Kathmandu and those preparing to fly out. With flights limited and passenger numbers rising, travellers often have to wait for their turn. Some have been left waiting at the airport for extended periods because they cannot get tickets.

The influx is driven largely by trekkers bound for Everest Base Camp, Gokyo and other destinations in the surrounding Himalayas.

Lukla is the main gateway to the Everest trekking region. From here, visitors travel through Namche Bazar to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and the Gokyo Valley.

Tourists from a wide range of countries are arriving in significant numbers, said Lakpa Kaji Sherpa, Lukla chief of Summit Air. The trek to Everest Base Camp remains the region’s biggest draw, he said.

Three airlines, Tara Air, Summit Air and Sita Air, operate regular flights from Lukla. During the trekking season, both aircraft and helicopters see a sharp increase in traffic. The airport handles an average of around 400 flights a day, including helicopter operations, according to acting airport chief Nawa Raj Katuwal.

Helicopter operators have also stepped up activity alongside scheduled airline services. Kailash Helicopter Services, Simrik Air, High Altitude, Heli Everest, Mountain Heli and Prabhu Heli are among the companies operating regularly from Lukla.

Their helicopters ferry tourists to destinations across the Khumbu region and offer aerial sightseeing trips over the mountains. Depending on weather conditions and demand, flights operate to Namche Bazar, areas around Everest Base Camp and other Himalayan destinations.

The tourism boom is also being felt across Lukla’s economy. Hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses are busy, with operators struggling to accommodate the growing number of visitors.

The increased footfall is generating business for hotels, guides, porters and local traders selling produce and other goods. Tourism is a mainstay of the Everest region’s economy, providing residents with employment and income during the trekking season.

With trekkers streaming in and aircraft operating at a heightened pace, Lukla has once again become the centre of activity in the Everest region.