Tourism entrepreneurs concerned at suspension of Jomsom flights

POKHARA: Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have expressed serious concerns over the sudden suspension of Pokhara–Jomsom–Pokhara flight services right at the onset of the peak autumn tourism season.

Stating that the suspension of flights will hurt the tourism sector, they have urged relevant authorities to ensure the immediate resumption of regular flights.

The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Gandaki Chapter, drew the attention of stakeholders after major private airlines announced the halt of their operations along the vital air route.

Tara Air suspended its flights starting Monday until further notice. Similarly, Summit Air Limited had announced weeks prior that it would cease operations from October 21 until the next season, citing a surge in ticket cancellations caused by recent floods and landslides.

Issuing a statement, newly elected president of TAAN Gandaki, Tirtha Raj Subedi, said the suspension of flights to remote mountain regions will create significant challenges for tourism, passenger movement, and emergency medical evacuations.

The Pokhara–Jomsom air route serves as a crucial transit link for domestic and international tourists, trekkers, and pilgrims traveling to Mustang, Kagbeni, and the sacred site of Muktinath.

“Many foreign tourists plan their itineraries around air travel—flying from Pokhara to Jomsom before starting their trek to Upper Mustang,” Subedi said in the statement. “Furthermore, trekkers returning from the Annapurna Circuit are often exhausted or injured. These travelers, who rely on flights to return safely, will be severely impacted by the suspension of flights.”

Subedi said the situation was further worsened by severe damage to the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road section following floods and landslides along the Kaligandaki River in late September. With land transport severely disrupted, the stoppage of air services renders travel to and from the region exceptionally difficult, tourism stakeholders say.

“The suspension is likely to affect pre-scheduled tourist itineraries. This will harm the livelihoods and earnings of local hoteliers, trekking guides, porters and local communities,” Subedi said. “The crisis is further compounded by Nepal Airlines Corporation’s limited fleet and operational capacity in remote areas, which leaves few alternative options for stranded passengers.”