NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

Political Football

Thanks to district politics, Lukla Airport was closed for a week, sending a negative message across the tourism industry

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Although flights to and from Lukla Airport, one of the busiest in the hilly region of the country, resumed last week, it remains uncertain how long the operations with continue? This uncertainty has arisen not because of the threats from the Maoist insurgents but from the threat of Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Bal Bahadur K.C

K.C. represents Solukhumbu district in the House of Representatives and was said to be against the expansion of the Lukla airport even before becoming minister. With financial support from the Asian Development Bank, the runway and airport terminal were modernized, having become an all-weather facility.

Lukla airport : Gateway to Everest

Situated at the gateway to Mt. Everest and Namche Bazaar, close to the Nepal-China border, the upgrade of Lukla airport promises to enhance the number of foreign trekkers. During the peak season, the airport used to operate more than 50 flights a day. After the Maoist assault last month, the airport was closed for week, leaving a large number of tourists stranded.

Thanks to Minister K.C., instead of improving security at Lukla Airport, the government simply ignored it, sending a wrong signal to the outside world about the viability of trekking areas in Nepal. After mountain flights, Lukla is a major area where airlines charge hard currency from tourists.

Battered by low tourist arrivals, Yet Airlines, Shangri-La Air, Skyline, RNAC and Cosmic Air lost tens of thousand of rupees following the week-long forced suspension of their flight. The Civil Aviation Authority also lost much-needed revenue.

The controversy also hampered the business of Russian helicopters in the region. Some helicopter companies are making efforts to resume passenger service in lucrative sectors like Khumbu.

Solukhumbu district is known for Lukla, Phaplu and Syangboche airfields. Minister K.C. is constructing another airfield near his home village. "On top of the Maoist terror, Nepalís tourism industry has been facing terror of the minister," said a tourism entrepreneur on condition of anonymity. "Minister K.C, who is looking for an excuse to stop flights to Lukla, thinks he got a good one when the Maoists attacked the airport."

There is also said to be a clash of interests among various groups in the region. The opening of Lukla airport stopped the Jiri-Mount Everest trekking route.

The increase in Maoist violence has worsened the situation. Because of security concerns, no trekking agency wants to take the risk of leading treks to the Everest region. "If Lukla airport closes down, tourism in the Everest base camp and Namche Bazaar will be completely wiped out," said a local entrepreneur.

After sustained pressure from trekking entrepreneurs, operations at Lukla Airport have resumed. But the psychological trauma triggered by the Maoist attacks among trekkers to the Everest Base Camp remains.

Regardless of who may be heading the tourism ministry, development activities should not be held hostage to political interests. At a time when the government is facing a tough time in providing security to the airport, there is no rationale in adding another airport to an overcrowded sector.