Himal Press 
ATR-72 aircraft of Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines on the tarmac of Pokhara International Airport. (File Photo)
KATHMANDU: Businesspeople of Pokhara have requested the government for international flight operations from Pokhara.
A team of businesspeople led by Pom Narayan Shrestha, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC), on Monday met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and submitted a 15-point memorandum. Operation of international flights from Pokhara, reduction of bank interest rates to single digits, rescheduling of bank loans, and arrangements for refinancing, are some of the demands placed by the Pokhara-based businesspeople.
According to Shrestha, they have also demanded that the government open Ratna Mandir and Hima Griha palaces to tourists and the general public.
“We have requested the Prime Minister for needful policy decisions to operate flights to neighboring India, China, and Bangladesh from Pokhara,” Shrestha said.
The delegation also demanded that the government strengthen the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and make the national flight carrier operate flights from Pokhara.
Among others, the businesspeople have also demanded administrative and managerial reforms of the Nepal Tourism Board to ensure the institutional representation of tourism organizations, improvement of highways for easy and convenient travel to the main cities for tourists entering Nepal through land routes, and quick rehabilitation of the Prithvi Highway – the gateway to Pokhara.
The delegation also asked the government to facilitate the smooth operation of paragliding – one of the major adventure activities in the lake city – in Pokhara.
The delegation had representations from the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal, Hotel Association Pokhara, and various other associations.
Finally, they have also requested that paragliding in Pokhara be established in advance so as not to affect international flights.
