Himal Press 
Pokhara International Airport. (File Photo)
POKHARA: UAE-based carrier flydubai is starting scheduled flights between Dubai and Pokhara on Wednesday.
The flydubai flight will take off from Dubai at 12 noon (local time) and arrive in Pokhara at 6:15 p.m. It will take off from Pokhara Regional Airport at 7:15 p.m.
Pokhara Metropolitan City has made preparations to hold a special welcome ceremony upon arrival of flydubai’s maiden flight to the lake city.
At a time when the airport was limited to domestic operations, the establishment of direct connectivity between Pokhara and Dubai has elated local tourism entrepreneurs. They believe this flight will mark a milestone in connecting Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal, with international cities.
According to Binod Singh Rawat, information officer at the Pokhara Civil Aviation Office, flydubai is Airbus A319 has a seating capacity of 140 to 150 passengers, while its Airbus A320 accommodates 160 to 180 passengers.
The airline will alternate between the Airbus A319 and A320 based on demand. A significant number of passengers are arriving in Pokhara on the inaugural flight. On its return flight to Dubai, the aircraft will carry both passengers and cargo.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) granted flydubai permission to operate scheduled flights on the Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai route on June 8. The approval came shortly after the government stated in its current fiscal year’s policy and program that it would pursue diplomatic initiatives to attract international air carriers to Pokhara International Airport. Ticket sales opened immediately after authorization was granted.
Pancha Narayan Shrestha, former president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said that direct flights to Dubai—a global aviation transit hub—will integrate Pokhara into the international air network. Stating that flydubai operates direct flights to more than 120 destinations, he added that discounts and other incentives will be offered to passengers and partner organizations to promote the Pokhara–Dubai route.
The success of this route is expected to attract other international airlines to the region. Following the launch of flydubai’s flights, tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have also announced discounts in various services.
Dhanraj Acharya, mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, said all official and technical preparations required for flydubai flights have been completed. Expressing confidence that the service will further integrate Nepal’s tourism capital into the international aviation network, he said regular flights will make Pokhara’s tourism, trade, and international travel more seamless and robust.
Although three years have passed since the airport opened, the airport is yet to see regular international flights.
