Avia Club intends to provide an ultralight aircraft tour of the Mount Everest region

Preparations for flights from Madhesh Province have begun at Avia Club Nepal, which has been providing ultralight flight services in Pokhara’s skies. The company wants to give visitors, both domestic and foreign, a chance to see Mount Everest.

According to Avia Club’s managing director, Natasha Shrestha, they intend to operate flights from one of the airports in Janakpur and Rajbiraj to provide a glimpse of the Everest region. This will enable visitors to Janakpur to explore the Everest region, she said.

A few days ago, Avia Club flew a test trip to the Everest region from Janakpur Airport. According to her, the flight from Janakpur to the Everest region and the return trip will take an hour.

In two hours, one can return to Janakpur after seeing Mount Everest up close. Shrestha stated, “We think this will add a new dimension to the tourism sector and increase the potential for adventure tourism in the Madhesh Province.”

According to Shrestha, there are also plans for a test flight from Rajbiraj Airport. However, a windstorm forced the cancellation of the planned flight.

Shrestha said that regular flights will begin once the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) gives its approval.

Many pilgrims from India travel to Janakpur. If we can fly them in the sky over the Everest region, it would immensely enhance tourism,” she said.

“Tourists may still take in the Himalayan views of the Everest region even if the flights are unable to reach the summit of the mountain,” she said. “Adventure tourism will benefit from this. The breathtaking vista of the Himalayas and Everest’s summit will undoubtedly delight tourists.” The CAAN has given the club permission to fly ultralight aircraft up to 10,500 feet in altitude, though it is still unclear how high the plane can go towards Mount Everest.

Two kinds of ultralight aircraft are available from Avia Club. Four of the six aircraft that Avia Club has have flex wings, while two are fixed wings. Among these, the fixed-wing aircraft would be used to fly over the Everest region, Shrestha continued.

According to her, it will be a novel offering for Terai tourism, and there’s a chance that Indian tourists may travel to Janakpur to make use of this ultralight aircraft. The plane can fly even when there is 1,500 meters of visibility. For such aircraft, the 600-meter runway is enough. Consequently, we have decided to take a plane from one of the airports in Rajbiraj or Janakpur,” she stated.

In 1996, Nepal launched its first ultralight aircraft, which brought adventure travelers to Pokhara. Having begun with just two ultralights, Avia Club operates six aircraft today.