Originally Posted by
11450
Regarding your concern about the hazards of Nepalese airports KTM is actually quiet alright. Nothing fancy but it feels safe despite the buildings close to the runway and the Himalayan foothills that surround the Kathmandu valley.
Lukla and Tumlingtar. These are the ones to watch out for! If you are flying in to the Everets region you will most probably fly to Lukla. Virtually a recently paved 300 meter strip right on a slope in the narrow Dudh Kosi valley. I still regard it as my most memorable flying experience. And it does not get any easier regardless of how many times you fly there!
I tried to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla on three different days and each flight was canceled due to the weather. So I flew to Jomsom via Pokhara instead for the Annapurna trek.
At the Pokhara airport, the co-pilot hopped out of the tiny plane before takeoff, got on a rickety old bicycle, and rode down the runway ringing a bell to shoo cows off the runway.