Mountaineers will no longer be able to climb Khan Tengri Peak in Kyrgyzstan. A member of the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators Elena Kalashnikova told today at a press conference.
According to her, in April the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that it would not be able to provide Mi-8 helicopter for the tourist season due to the expiry of its operation term.
«There is not any serviceable helicopter in Kyrgyzstan. Tourist season is impossible without them. More than 5,000 people from 18 countries were registered as tourists within mountain programs. We have to completely close Khan Tengri Peak. Kyrgyzstan will automatically be included in the black list of countries not recommended for visiting,» Elena Kalashnikova told.
She added that one of the helicopters has faulty engine. It was not repaired. We did not rent a helicopter in other countries.
«Kazakhstan offered to allow the landing of its helicopter in the area of Khan Tengri Peak for the transportation of the tourists. However, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic replied that the flights of foreign aircrafts on the border territory of the country were prohibited. They did not explain the reason,» said Elena Kalashnikova.
If a helicopter to provide safety of the tourists is not found, the association will have to refuse climbing to the alpinists.
