POKHARA: Passenger traffic on the Pokhara-Jomsom air route has surged following the blockage of the road connecting Mustang with Beni in Myagdi due to flooding.
Jomsom Airport chief Bishwanath Sharma said the limited number of flights has made it difficult to accommodate the increased passenger demand. Currently, Twin Otter aircraft operated by Tara Air and Summit Air have increased the number of flights from five to seven per day to meet the demand.
The ongoing tourist season has further contributed to the rise in air travel, with a large number of tourists visiting Mustang during Sohra Shraddha, also known as Pitri Paksha or Mahalaya.
Sohra Shraddha is a 16-day Hindu ritual period dedicated to honoring and remembering deceased ancestors. Pilgrims from Nepal and India are also traveling to Kagbeni to perform rituals, further increasing passenger numbers.
Airlines are prioritizing the transportation of sick and disabled passengers, while local authorities are assisting in facilitating their travel, along with that of foreign tourists.
Sharma said passenger traffic is expected to decline once the road is reopened, easing pressure on air services.
Binod Singh Rawat, an information officer at Pokhara International Airport, said most flights are operated in the morning because strong winds at Jomsom Airport in the afternoon limit operational flexibility
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