KATHMANDU: The first commercial chartered flight from Pokhara to Chengdu, China, is scheduled for March 18 in an effort to commence regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport.
The flight, operated in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and Sichuan Airlines, is being organized under the leadership of the Pokhara Tourism Council.
Pokhara International Airport has remained without regular international flights for two years since its inauguration, despite demands from the local community and joint efforts by the government and the private sector.
Pokhara Tourism Council Chairman Taranath Pahari stated that despite repeated appeals to state authorities to resume flights, no progress has been made. As a result, private tourism entrepreneurs have taken the initiative to operate this chartered flight.
The initial flights are being conducted with the support of China Travels International Chengdu and the Chinese Overseas Association in Nepal, who have played a coordinating role.
The plan is to bring around 1,250 Chinese tourists from Sichuan Province to Pokhara International Airport within the next three months.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya emphasized that this first chartered flight is a step towards establishing regular international flights. He expressed hope that increased tourism from China, given its large population, would significantly contribute to the economic and tourism development of Pokhara and Nepal as a whole.
Deputy Chief of Mission Wang Xin of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal expressed optimism that this flight would strengthen economic ties and tourism collaboration between Nepal and China.
The first flight, carrying 127 Chinese passengers, is expected to land in Pokhara at 10 am on March 18. In return, 127 tourism entrepreneurs from Nepal will fly to Chengdu at 12 noon on the same day.
The week-long program during the first commercial flight will focus on visiting Chengdu, Luzhou, Emei, Lishan, and Chongqing in Sichuan Province to gather insights on tourism development and expansion. Additionally, the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepali Consulate General in Chengdu are organizing promotional events, including Nepal Evening and Sales Missions, in Chengdu and Chongqing on March 19 and 22.
Mayor Acharya, along with other dignitaries from Pokhara, will also hold meetings with key figures in Luzhou City to discuss tourism collaboration. Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai, coordinator of the Pokhara Visit Year 2025 Executive Committee, highlighted the significance of this first commercial chartered flight, emphasizing its role in paving the way for regular international flights from Pokhara.
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