Drone Rules for Tenzing-Hillary Airport
Fly Status: Strictly Prohibited. The Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUA) in Lukla is one of the most challenging and critical aviation hubs in the world. Flying a drone in its vicinity is a severe federal offense under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) regulations.
No-Fly Zones: A 5-kilometer exclusion radius is strictly enforced around all airports and heliports in Nepal. Lukla is a high-traffic mountainous airfield where flight paths are extremely narrow; any drone presence is a critical danger to incoming/outgoing aircraft.
Legal Framework: As of 2026, drone operations are governed by the CAAN Unmanned Aircraft System Requirements (UASR). Unauthorized operations violate national civil aviation safety laws. Penalties include immediate seizure of the drone, heavy fines (NPR 75,000–250,000+), and potential criminal prosecution or blacklisting from future trekking permits.
Mandatory Requirements:
Registration: Every drone (regardless of weight) must be registered with CAAN to receive a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
Permit Chain: Foreign nationals must obtain authorizations from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Department of Tourism, and CAAN.
Operational Limits: Max altitude is 100m (328 ft) AGL; Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) is mandatory; daytime-only operations.
How to be "Socially Accepted" and Lawful Do Not Fly Near LUA: The airport and surrounding valley are under constant monitoring due to frequent helicopter traffic. Never attempt a launch near the Lukla runway or approach paths.
Verify Airspace: Always check official CAAN notices. Given the proximity to Sagarmatha National Park, flying also requires specialized permits from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).
Respect Local Privacy & Culture: Nepal has strict rules against filming near sacred heritage sites and monasteries. Avoid flying near villages or religious areas in the Khumbu region.
Work with Professionals: If you are planning a commercial project, you must coordinate with a local licensed trekking agency that handles the "multi-agency gauntlet" of permits required for high-altitude zones in 2026.