Conflict over helicopter flights in the Himalayas escalates

There have been conflicts in the recent past between helicopter companies and the local population, namely the Namche Youth Group. Landing sites have been blocked and pilots have been threatened. What's going on?

Nepalese aviation companies suspended helicopter operations in the Khumbu region on January 5, 2025, according to Aviation Direct. This was in response to ongoing protests and increasing tensions with the indigenous Sherpas and local population. The conflict revolves around the impact of helicopter operations on the environment, local population and economic influence in the region.

In recent years, helicopter flights to the Everest region have become increasingly popular. This development has not only changed the landscape of Nepal, but has also had a major impact on the lives of local people.

Everest and Nubtse in Sagarmatha National Park_Himalaya
Everest and Nubtse in Sagarmatha National Park, Himalayas. (Image Pavel Novak CC BY-SA 2.5)

Important income for carriers is lost

Major tourist destinations in the Khumbu region of northeastern Nepal are difficult to reach using conventional means of transport. In the past, local Sherpas played a central role in transporting equipment and people to the high peaks of the region. This strenuous work was an important source of income for many porters.

For $1, guests can save themselves the two-week hike.

In recent years, however, the use of helicopters for transport and emergency services has increased. In particular, trekking guests and the rapidly increasing number of summit aspirants who want to reach Everest Base Camp as quickly as possible are increasingly taking advantage of the opportunity to shorten the two-week trek to a few hours for around 1 US dollars.

Escalating protests and the airlines' response

The conflict between the helicopter companies and the local population has now definitely escalated. The Namche Youth Group has installed poles with prayer flags at the landing sites and threatened the pilots with confiscating the helicopter.

Poles with prayer flags are installed at the landing sites by the Namche Youth Club
Poles with prayer flags are installed at the landing sites by the Namche Youth Group. (Picture Namche Youth Group)

Due to escalation, the Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has decided to suspend helicopter operations in the Khumbu region. The Aviation Direct platform writes that the AOAN has communicated that flights have been suspended due to "lack of safety guarantees". Emergency flights and medical evacuations will continue to be carried out.

The Importance of Everest Tourism

The Sagarmatha National Park, where Mount Everest is located, attracts countless tourists every year. Around 100 people visit the national park every year, with several hundred of them attempting to climb to the summit of the highest mountain in the world. Everest tourism is of great economic importance to Nepal. But everything has its limits, the barrel is full.

Everest tourism is of great economic importance for Nepal.

But what happens next? In a report in the alpine blog "Abenteuer Berg", the chairman of the Nimche Youth Group, Mingma Sherpa, says that there needs to be a healthy balance between helicopter flights for medical emergencies and the nature experience for trekking guests and mountaineers. He is willing to compromise, but makes it clear that the number of helicopter flights must be massively reduced.

That might interest you

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Namche Youth Club

News

Adam Ondra cracks 9A boulder Soudain Seul | Fontainebleau

Adam Ondra announces the successful ascent of the boulder Soudain...

“That was an absolute game changer for me” – Megos on breathing exercises

For around four years, breathing exercises have played a key role in the everyday life of top climber Alexander Megos. In this video, he reveals how breathing exercises help him climb better.

Dispute over Würzburg climbing hall Rock Inn escalates

As the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation recently reported in a detailed report, the dispute over the Rock Inn climbing hall in Würzburg is becoming increasingly absurd. What's going on?
00:26:46

Magnus Midtbo takes creatine for 2 months – and becomes massively stronger | Self-test

Magnus Midtbo took creatine for the first time in his career and analyzed in a self-test what effect the dietary supplement had on his body.

Adam Ondra cracks 9A boulder Soudain Seul | Fontainebleau

Adam Ondra announces the successful ascent of the Soudain Seul boulder in Fontainebleau. Ondra is unsure about the level of difficulty. Details about the ascent in the video interview. He wanted to...

“That was an absolute game changer for me” – Megos on breathing exercises

For around four years, breathing exercises have played a key role in the everyday life of top climber Alexander Megos. In this video, he reveals how breathing exercises help him climb better.

Dispute over Würzburg climbing hall Rock Inn escalates

As the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation recently reported in a detailed report, the dispute over the Rock Inn climbing hall in Würzburg is becoming increasingly absurd. What's going on?

5 comments

  1. This raises the question: where do you start and where do you stop? Yes, of course I'm a skier and I use lifts, so I'm not allowed to use them as technical aids. Our world is driven by higher, faster, further, but I think at some point it has to stop and the climb should remain somewhat traditional, with a march through the valley... up to the summit and back again. I think if it were technically possible, tourists who could afford it would be flown to the summit. I would allow medical emergencies, although that is certainly difficult to differentiate.

  2. It would be nice if it remained the case that you have to work for some achievements in life and that you can't buy them with money. What is currently happening on and around Everest is very similar to package tourism.

  3. There are definitely too many helicopters in the Everest region. It is absolutely right to at least curb this to some extent. Firstly, it is annoying when a helicopter whizzes past every 15 minutes. Secondly, the local population does not benefit at all from it, as the companies from outside make money from it.

    Tip for the editors: If you mention articles from other websites/blogs, can you please link them too? I don't have to search for them myself. Thanks:)

  4. I was recently in Nepal (3 passes trek from Jiri). It's crazy how many helicopters take off and land, especially in Gokyo and Gorak Shep.
    Money no longer seems to play a role. And in the valley the farmer plows with oxen and wooden plough

  5. I think it is a step in the right direction to counteract the increasing commercialization of the environment. I think the key word is environmentally friendly tourism. In 2019, I was able to experience the flood of air traffic for myself, which is in stark contrast to the local population and infrastructure. And just because it is technically possible, it does not have to be necessary. If I can secure the porters' source of income by using fewer helicopters, I think it is legitimate. Especially in our time, when the earth is "spinning faster and faster", I should welcome the opportunity to slow down (approaching via the Khumbu Valley, more impressions and closer contact with the population).

Comment on the article

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here