POKHARA: Flydubai is set to launch direct flights between Pokhara and Dubai after receiving approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to operate daily services on the route.
According to Jaganath Niraula, General Manager of Pokhara International Airport, Flydubai’s flight schedule was approved on Monday, and daily Pokhara–Dubai flights are scheduled to begin on September 23.
“Flydubai’s Pokhara–Dubai flight schedule was approved on Monday,” Niraula said. “The airline will begin daily services from September 23.”
A Flydubai team recently visited Pokhara International Airport to assess security, safety, and operational standards. The approval comes shortly after the government announced in its policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 that it would take diplomatic initiatives to attract international airlines to Pokhara International Airport.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the approval marks a major step toward establishing regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport, Nepal’s third international gateway.
“This is not merely the addition of a new air service; it is a historic opportunity to strengthen Pokhara’s international profile, promote tourism, expand economic activities, and decentralise Kathmandu-centric air traffic,” he said. “Direct connectivity with Dubai will provide Pokhara access to more than 300 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.”
So far, apart from a few charter flights to neighbouring countries, Pokhara has not operated regular international services. Built at a cost of nearly Rs 22 billion through a Chinese loan, Pokhara International Airport has largely been limited to domestic operations since its inauguration on January 1, 2023.
Although Himalaya Airlines launched regular commercial flights between Pokhara and Lhasa in March 2025, the service was short-lived and was suspended on March 23.
While the long-standing dream of building an international airport in Pokhara has finally been realised, the airport has yet to operate at its full potential. Tourism entrepreneurs, who view Pokhara as Nepal’s tourism capital, have been eagerly awaiting regular international flights to attract more foreign visitors.
According to tourism stakeholders, investments worth around Rs 100 billion have been added to Pokhara’s tourism sector following the construction of the airport.
Entrepreneurs have also been urging the government to facilitate policies and regulations required for international operations and to allow Nepali airlines to operate flights from Pokhara to major cities in India and China.
At present, domestic airlines operate flights from Pokhara International Airport to destinations including Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and Bhairahawa.
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