Commercial helicopter flights to be banned in Sagarmatha region from January 1

KATHMANDU, Dec 15:The Sagarmatha National Park has banned commercial helicopter flights in the Sagarmatha region from January 1, 2025.

On Wednesday, the Sagarmatha National Park informed all helicopter companies of the decision by letter. The decision was reached during a meeting of the park, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the Buffer Zone Management Committee, and local stakeholders.

According to the decision, helicopters will no longer be allowed to fly commercially, rescuing tourists and residents and transfer products.

Helicopters from various companies that fly and land in the Sagarmatha National Park must obtain permission from the park office before taking off and landing. However, the park decided to ban commercial flights, saying that such work is ineffective and results in revenue leakage.

According to the park, the arbitrary deployment of helicopters has posed further risks to the park's woods, ecosystem, and wildlife. This has also increased noise pollution in human settlements, according to a letter from the park to the helicopter service provider firm.

According to the park office, commercial helicopter takeoffs and landings in the park's core and buffer zones are now strictly prohibited.

However, rescue flights will be permitted under certain conditions, taking into account the health of visitors, locals, and trekkers visiting the park. The park will provide permission only after receiving verbal/written recommendations from the nearby health facility, buffer users' group, and ward office.

In the event of a rescue flight, the helicopter landing place must be established with prior approval from the park. Details about the individual to be rescued must be reported to the park office.

Helicopters cannot transfer anyone other than tourists who need to be rescued. Given the topographical constraints of the Khumbu region, freight flights can be flown with prior approval to transfer vital commodities on a local scale.

It has been decided to prohibit landings above Pangboche for cargo delivery during Everest climbing.