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  Pokhara Airport, Nepal
   “Ausgangspunkt zum Annapurna-Massiv”
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Text:

Guido Bühlmann

Pictures:

Guido Bühlmann

   
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In our third and fourth, final part of our exciting reports from Nepal, Guido E. Bühlmann tells us about Pokhara Airport, right in the centre of Nepal. Not one of the most dangerous airports in the world, but the starting point for many mountaineering tours en route to Lukla, Jomsom or Manang, right at the foot of the mighty Himalayan massif.

First we see what was happening at the airport in November 1998 when Guido visited Pokhara for the first time. Nine years later, in November 2007, he gives us an impression of what it looks like today. Almost the same, with the exception that some airlines have disappeared, but some new airlines have also arrived.

1998

   

Mil Mi-17-1V, Cosmic Air 9N-ADP (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-AEH (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-AEG (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-? (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

   

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Nepal Airlines 9N-ACW (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) 

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-AEH (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

DHC-6-300 “Twin Otter”, Nepal Airlines 9N-ABB (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

DHC-6-300 “Twin Otter”, Lumbini Airways 9N-AEQ (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

 

Dornier Do-228-100, Gorkha Airlines 9N-AEO (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Dornier Do-228-100, Cosmic Air 9N-AEP (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Beechcraft Beech-1900D, Buddha Air 9N-AEW (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Pokhara Airport (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

 

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Nepal Airlines 9N-AAV (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-ADE(Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-ACP (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Siddeley HS-748-501, Super B2, Necon Air 9N-ADE (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

About 200 kilometres west of the capital Kathmandu lies the Pokhara Valley in the central mountainous region of Nepal. A good 900 metres high, it is around 500 metres lower than the capital. The main attraction of the main town is Lake Phewa, combined with the incomparable beauty of the subtropical nature and the view of the almost seven-thousand metre peak Machapuchare (6,997 metres), which is only 30 kilometres away and has never been climbed.

The airfield in Pokhara was only opened in 1958. It was only much later that the 1,428 metre-long runway was given an asphalt surface. Pokhara is also the starting point for trekkers and mountaineers to the Annapurna massif. Many of these mountaineers fly with the Twin Otters and Dorniers to Jomson and Manang, which are among the most dangerous airfields in Nepal, indeed in the world.

The airfield in the immediate vicinity of the city is particularly busy in the mornings. Flights to Jomson and Manang cannot be operated during the rest of the day due to the strong winds from and to the highlands.

Not only scheduled flights but also charter flights to the mountain world of the Annapurna peaks are the order of the day. Arguably one of the most beautiful regions on our planet, it shows visitors the incredible size and natural beauty of the world's highest mountains.

2007

 
DHC-7-102-C, United Nations (311) C-GVWD (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) DHC-7-102-C, United Nations (311) C-GVWD (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) Mil Mi-8 MTV, United Nations (302) RA-25433 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) Mil Mi-8 MTV, United Nations (302) RA-25433 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
  BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHU (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHY (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) Beechcraft Beech-1900D, Buddha Air 9N-AGH (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) Beechcraft Beech-1900C-1, Buddha Air 9N-AGI (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
 
DHC-7-102-C, United Nations (311) C-GVWD (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHW (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHV (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHV (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
 
BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHV (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) BAe Jetstream 41, Yeti Airlines 9N-AHW (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) Dornier Do-228-212, Gorkha Airlines 9N-AHS (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) Dornier Do-228-212, Gorkha Airlines 9N-AHS (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
 
Dornier Do-228-212, Gorkha Airlines 9N-AHS (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann) DHC-6-300 Nepal Airlines 9N-ABX (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Dornier Do-228-212, Sita Airlines 9N-AHA  (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Dornier Do-228-212, Sita Airlines 9N-AHA  (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

 

Dornier Do-228-212, Sita Airlines 9N-AHA  (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Dornier Do-228-212, Sita Airlines 9N-AHA  (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Pokhara Airport (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Beechcraft Beech-1900 C-1, Buddha Air 9N-AGL

.If you are an "aviation enthusiast" like I am, but also love the beautiful nature, then visiting the different regions of Nepal is probably one of the greatest experiences life can offer you.

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last update 11. December 2012

Written 11. December 2012

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