KATHMANDU: Direct international flights from Pokhara to Bhutan are set to begin soon, marking a significant milestone for Pokhara International Airport.
Bhutan Airlines will operate a Paro–Pokhara–Paro charter service, with four flights scheduled from September 28. The charter service is being managed by Universal Tours and Travel (UTT), which has also launched a four-night, five-day travel package for passengers.
Parashar Prasai, operator of UTT, confirmed that flights are scheduled for September 28, 29, 30, and October 1. Bhutan Airlines’ aircraft has a seating capacity of 126 passengers.
Prasai emphasized the importance of continued efforts to establish regular international flights from Pokhara and urged the government to provide further support to airlines.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya welcomed the new charter service, noting that it would strengthen tourism ties between Nepal and Bhutan and help connect Pokhara to international markets.
“Let us all contribute from our respective sectors to ensure this continues,” he said. He also expressed optimism that regular flights could follow Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India.
Pom Narayan Shrestha, outgoing chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said the announcement has generated excitement in the tourism sector.
He called on all three tiers of government to support regular flights, adding that affordable airfares and improved accessibility would allow tourists to fully experience Pokhara’s natural beauty.
To encourage international flights from regional airports, the government has offered substantial incentives. Since August 12, 2024, all fees for international flights from Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports have been waived, except a 25% ground handling charge by Nepal Airlines.
The government also offers a Rs. 3,000 discount on the international passenger service fee and a 75% reduction in ground handling fees.
According to Shrestha, additional discount packages have been prepared for tourism stakeholders, including hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies, in anticipation of more international flights. Bhutan Airlines currently operates four weekly flights between Bhutan and Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
This isn’t the first international charter flight at Pokhara International Airport. On July 4, Sichuan Airlines operated a chartered flight from Chengdu, China. Himalayan Airlines is also operating weekly flights from Pokhara to Lhasa, Tibet.
Additionally, Sichuan Airlines has applied for permission to launch a Pokhara–Chengdu–Australia route and is seeking to make this a regular service.
Previously, Sichuan Airlines operated charter flights to Pokhara to transport tourists and participants for the Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race Festival 2023, held at Fewa Lake.
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