POKHARA: Flydubai is set to launch a direct Pokhara-Dubai flight service starting this upcoming September 23.

This direct flight to Dubai, a global aviation transit hub, will connect Pokhara to the international air network.

Even though three years have passed since its inauguration, Pokhara International Airport had been unable to operate regular international flights.

Although Himalaya Airlines launched the first regular commercial Pokhara-Lhasa flight in March 2025, the service is currently suspended due to low passenger numbers.

The Pokhara-Dubai route will be the second commercial operation from Pokhara International Airport.

Prior to this, only chartered flights had been operated to various destinations in China, India, and Bhutan.

Jagannath Niraula, General Manager of Pokhara International Airport, stated that Flydubai has already opened ticket bookings following the approval of the Dubai-Pokhara-Dubai flight schedule.

“This is a significant achievement in expanding Pokhara’s international air accessibility. It directly benefits the entire Gandaki Province and the nation,” Niraula said. “It will offer great convenience to passengers traveling from Pokhara via Dubai to various destinations, including Europe and America. Shorter travel times will also reduce expenses.”

General Manager Niraula added that foreign tourists can now fly directly to Pokhara to visit the tourism capital and its surrounding scenic areas.

The Pokhara-Dubai flight service is expected to benefit the general public and passengers traveling to Arab nations and other countries for foreign employment, studies, and tourism.

Dhanraj Acharya, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, noted that flights to Dubai—one of the world’s busiest and most critical aviation transit hubs—will establish direct international air connectivity for Pokhara.

According to him, the Pokhara-Dubai flight service will operate under a strategic codeshare partnership between Flydubai and Emirates Airlines.

Mayor Acharya explained that passengers traveling from Pokhara to cities in Australia, Europe, or America can travel on a single ticket, ensuring a hassle-free journey to their final destinations.

He further mentioned that Emirates Airlines uses Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport as its primary hub, connecting more than 143 destinations across 76 countries spanning six continents.

Airport General Manager Niraula added that codeshare partnerships between airlines will make transit seamless for passengers.

“Passengers traveling from Pokhara to other countries via Dubai can travel on a single ticket, eliminating the hassle of transferring luggage yourself,” Niraula said. “One aircraft will carry passengers to Dubai, and after transit, another aircraft will take them to their final destination.”

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) granted permission to Flydubai for the Pokhara-Dubai flights on May 29.

Prior to that, a team from Flydubai had conducted a high-level security, safety, and operational inspection of Pokhara International Airport.

Flydubai received the flight permission shortly after the government announced diplomatic initiatives to attract international airlines to Pokhara International Airport in its policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27.

Airport General Manager Niraula also shared that Air Arabia has shown interest in starting flight services from Pokhara.

“Positive cooperation from all sectors, including the private sector, is essential for the sustainability of international flight operations from Pokhara,” he said. “Regular international flights from Pokhara will provide a major boost to the country’s tourism and economy. Passengers will receive convenient services.”

Pokhara International Airport serves as Nepal’s third international air gateway.

There have been consistent demands for regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport to decentralize air traffic from Kathmandu, while simultaneously promoting tourism and economic activities.

Establishing direct air connectivity with Dubai is expected to give Pokhara access to more than 300 cities across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

Built with a loan of approximately Rs 22 billion, the airport is currently limited to domestic flights.

The airport was inaugurated on January 1, 2023.

Domestic airlines have been operating flights from Pokhara International Airport to destinations including the federal capital Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and Bhairahawa.

Although the 50-year-old plan to build an international airport in Pokhara has been realized, the airport has not yet come into full operation.

Tourism entrepreneurs, who hoped for a massive influx of foreign tourists after the construction of the international airport, are eagerly waiting for regular international flights.

Naresh Kandau, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Gandaki, stated that the direct Pokhara-Dubai flight will open the doors to economic prosperity for Pokhara and the entire Gandaki Province.

“A large number of people from Gandaki Province travel to the Middle East, Europe, and America for employment and studies,” he said. “The Pokhara-Dubai flight will make it easier and more cost-effective for these passengers to return home. Tourists visiting Pokhara and surrounding destinations can now arrive directly in Pokhara.”