flydubai formally launches Dubai-Pokhara flight service

POKHARA: Dubai-based low-cost carrier flydubai launched its scheduled flight on Dubai-Pokhara route on Wednesday.

An Airbus A320 aircraft of flydubai landed at Pokhara International Airport at 6:22 p.m. Wednesday with 115 passengers on board. The aircraft carried 153 passengers on the return flight.

The aircraft is configured to carry 166 passengers-10 in business class and 156 in economy class.

The aircraft was given a customary water cannon salute at the airport. Nepali pilot Sarbajit Yadav, who has been working for flydubai since 2022, landed the aircraft in Pokhara. The passengers had traveled to Dubai from various countries before connecting to Pokhara, according to the airline

Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya welcomed and bade farewell to the passengers. He expressed hope that Wednesday’s flight would mark the beginning of regular daily international air services from Pokhara.

Pokhara International Airport was inaugurated on January 1, 2023, with much fanfare. Although domestic flights have been moving toward full capacity, the airport had not been able to operate regular international services as expected, apart from charter flights and the weekly Pokhara-Lhasa service.

The flight service allows passengers to travel conveniently from Pokhara to international destinations through flydubai and its codeshare arrangement with Emirates.

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara say the flight service presents an important opportunity for tourism, business, employment and overall economic activity in the city.

Hari Bhujel, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, described the flight as the beginning of a new journey for Pokhara toward the international skies.

The launch of flydubai’s first flight is expected to pave the way for the expansion of international air services from Pokhara International Airport. Expanded international flights will make overseas travel more convenient for residents of Pokhara and surrounding areas while also helping promote tourism in Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital, and expand its international air connectivity.

Flydubai currently operates direct flights to more than 120 destinations. As part of efforts to promote the Dubai-Pokhara-Dubai service, the airline has offered discounts and other facilities to passengers and partner organizations. Tourism businesses in Pokhara have also announced discounts on various services to mark the occasion.