From 1 April 2019, flights to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region, were moved from Kathmandu to Manthali airport in Ramechhap, about four to five hours' drive east of the capital. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport was closing overnight for runway maintenance, and the early-morning Lukla flights had to go elsewhere.
In short: Lukla accounted for around a fifth of Kathmandu's domestic movements in peak season. Since 2019, most spring and autumn Lukla flights have operated from Ramechhap, meaning a pre-dawn drive from Kathmandu.
What it means for your trek
Expect to leave Kathmandu around 2–3 a.m. for morning flights from Ramechhap. Flights from Kathmandu itself may operate in quieter months. Weather delays are common at both ends. See our Lukla flight guide and EBC without the Lukla flight.