The seven British travellers killed in today’s crash were among the soaring numbers of foreign tourists flocking to Nepal, drawn by its mountains, stunning trekking and rich cultural heritage.
But there are increasing concerns that the tiny, poverty-stricken country is struggling to cope with the influx of tourists.
In the past two years more than 70 people have been killed in four air crashes in Nepal, one in 2010 involving the same make of plane as in today’s tragedy, a Dornier twin-turboprop.
Sita Air, the company operating today’s flight, has two planes in operation, with a third in storage. Until today the airline had not been involved in any accidents. Kathmandu airport is considered among the world’s most dangerous because it is surrounded by mountains.
Tourism is Nepal’s largest industry with more than 700,000 foreign tourists a year bringing in almost £500 million for the government.
But the influx has also resulted in warnings about dangerous overcrowding on Everest and other peaks in the region, as well as problems with infrastructure, political unrest and crime.
September is a busy month because it marks the beginning of the autumn climbing season. An avalanche last week killed many climbers on Mt Manaslu.
There has been criticism that authorities are issuing too many climbing permits in order to rake in more money, adding to the pressure on local infrastructure.