Tenzing-Hillary Airport (VNLK)
Medium airport · Lukla, Koshi Province, Nepal
Airport data
| Name | Tenzing-Hillary Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VNLK |
| IATA | LUA |
| Elevation | 9,380 ft (2859 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 27°41'12" E 86°43'46" 27.68677, 86.72948 |
| Location | Lukla, Koshi Province, Nepal |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 1,729 ft (527 m) | 98 ft | asphalt | No |
Tenzing-Hillary Airport at a glance
Tenzing-Hillary Airport is a medium airport in Lukla, Koshi Province, Nepal, known to airline systems as LUA. The field elevation of 9,380 ft (2859 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VNLK are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 06/24, offers 1,729 ft (527 m) of asphalt surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for VNLK shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Tenzing-Hillary Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Shigatse Tingri Airport | ZUDR | 102 km (55 NM) |
| Taplejung Airport | VNTJ | 102 km (55 NM) |
| Janakpur Airport | VNJP | 135 km (73 NM) |
| Tribhuvan International Airport | VNKT | 135 km (73 NM) |
| Biratnagar Airport | VNVT | 144 km (78 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Tenzing-Hillary Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 9,380 ft field elevation of Tenzing-Hillary Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 9 airports and airfields we list for Nepal — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Tenzing-Hillary Airport
What is the ICAO code of Tenzing-Hillary Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Tenzing-Hillary Airport is VNLK, and its IATA code is LUA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Tenzing-Hillary Airport above sea level?
Tenzing-Hillary Airport sits at an elevation of 9,380 feet (2859 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Tenzing-Hillary Airport located?
The airport lies at 27.6868, 86.7295 — in Lukla, Koshi Province, Nepal, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Shigatse Tingri Airport, about 102 km away.
Does VNLK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VNLK appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Tenzing-Hillary Airport?
Tenzing-Hillary Airport has one runway. The longest, 06/24, measures 1,729 ft (527 m) with a asphalt surface.