KATHMANDU: Flydubai is set to launch direct flight services on the Pokhara–Dubai route.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has granted permission to Flydubai to operate daily Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai flights starting September 23, according to Jagannath Niraula, General Manager of Pokhara International Airport.

“Flydubai’s flight schedule for the Pokhara–Dubai route was approved on Monday,” Niraula stated.

“The daily flight service will commence from September 23,” he added.

Recently, a high-level team from Flydubai conducted an inspection of Pokhara International Airport regarding security, safety, and operations.

This permission comes shortly after the government announced in its policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 that it would initiate diplomatic efforts to attract international airlines to Pokhara International Airport.

Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, emphasized that Flydubai receiving the flight permission marks a significant milestone toward operating regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport, which serves as Nepal’s third international aerial gateway.

“This is not just about adding an airline; it is a historic opportunity to enhance Pokhara’s international identity, promote tourism, expand economic activities, and decentralize the air traffic that is currently concentrated in Kathmandu,” Acharya said.

“With direct air connectivity established with Dubai, Pokhara will gain access to more than 300 cities across the West Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond,” he added.

Until now, no regular international flights have operated from Pokhara, except for occasional charter flights to a few neighboring countries.

Built with a loan of approximately Rs 22 billion, Pokhara International Airport has remained limited to domestic flights since its inauguration on January 1, 2023.

Although the private airline Himalaya Airlines started regular commercial flights between Pokhara and Lhasa in March 2025, the service did not last long and was shut down on March 23 of the same year.

While the 50-year-old plan to build an international airport in Pokhara has finally been realized, the airport has yet to become fully operational.

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara, which is also recognized as the tourism capital of the country, have been eagerly waiting for regular international flights in hopes of welcoming a large number of foreign tourists.

According to these entrepreneurs, an additional investment of nearly Rs 100 billion has been poured into Pokhara’s tourism sector since the construction of the airport.

Entrepreneurs have been demanding that the government ease policies and regulations required for international operations from Pokhara and grant permission to national carriers to fly to major cities in India and China.

Currently, domestic airlines operate flights from Pokhara International Airport to destinations including the federal capital Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and Bhairahawa.