Kathmandu, October 13
Flydubai has opened ticket bookings for flights between Pokhara and Dubai until October 30, 2027, raising hopes that the direct international service from Pokhara International Airport will continue regularly and boosting optimism among tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara.
Flydubai began operating flights from Pokhara International Airport on September 23. According to airport data, the airline operated flights on 19 of the 20 days between September 23 and October 12, with services suspended for one day due to weather conditions.
During this period, 3,113 passengers arrived in Pokhara on Flydubai flights, while 1,423 travelled from Pokhara to Dubai. This amounts to a total of 4,536 passenger movements in the two directions.
Of the passengers arriving in Pokhara, 2,815 were Nepali nationals, 281 were foreign nationals and 17 were infants. Among those travelling from Pokhara to Dubai, 1,248 were Nepali nationals, 170 were foreign nationals and five were infants.
Between September 23 and 30, a total of 1,102 passengers arrived in Pokhara, while 665 departed for Dubai. From October 1 to 12, another 2,011 passengers arrived in Pokhara and 758 travelled to Dubai.
Jagannath Niraula, chief of Pokhara International Airport, said the direct Pokhara-Dubai service was an important opportunity to connect the city to the international aviation network. He expressed hope that the flights would help promote tourism in Pokhara and facilitate international travel.
Pomanarayan Shrestha, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said the extended booking window had further encouraged tourism entrepreneurs in the city. The availability of tickets well into the future has raised hopes that the service will continue, he added.
Since Pokhara International Airport came into operation, concerns have persisted over its underutilisation due to a lack of regular international flights.
The Flydubai service has not only established a direct connection between Pokhara and Dubai but has also made travel to other international destinations more convenient for passengers connecting through Dubai.
Shrestha said the direct service could have a positive impact on tourism, trade and international travel, given Dubai’s importance as a global aviation hub.
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