After 4 hours of car ride later, I arrived at the airport of Mantali, probably the smallest airport I will ever see. Soon, I will be on the smallest passenger airplane I will ever boarded to Lukla where the trek begins

Managed to video down a sample 3-plane sequence at the Mandali airport. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/lin.guoyao/videos/10159159387737306/?t=5

A plane just landed (Summit Air)

A plane taking position (Sita Air)

A plane taking off (Tara Air)

These are the only 3 airline operating here. Each plane holds 14 - 16 passengers.

A total of only 9 planes from these 3 companies flying between Lukla and Mandeli.

Each flight takes about 15 minutes 1-way.

Each flight 1-way cost about US$139.00.

It's quite a lucrative business.