POKHARA: Flydubai will begin direct flights between Pokhara and Dubai from September 23, marking a major milestone for Pokhara International Airport and strengthening the city’s connection to the global aviation network.
The service will become the second commercial international route operated from Pokhara International Airport since its inauguration in January 2023. Despite being operational for more than three years, the airport has struggled to attract regular international flights.
Airport General Manager Jagannath Niraula said ticket bookings have already opened after approval of the Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai flight schedule.
“This is a significant achievement in expanding Pokhara’s international air connectivity. It will directly benefit not only Gandaki Province but the country as a whole,” he said.
According to Niraula, the direct service will make travel easier and more affordable for passengers flying to Europe, North America, and other destinations through Dubai, one of the world’s busiest aviation transit hubs.
The route is also expected to boost tourism by allowing international visitors to travel directly to Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital, and nearby destinations without transiting through Kathmandu.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the service will be operated under a strategic codeshare partnership between Flydubai and Emirates.
Under the arrangement, passengers travelling from Pokhara to destinations in Australia, Europe, or the United States will be able to complete their journey on a single ticket with seamless connections through Dubai.
Emirates currently connects Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 to more than 140 destinations across 76 countries, providing extensive onward connectivity for travellers from Nepal.
The direct flight follows approval granted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal on June 8. Before receiving permission, Flydubai conducted inspections of the airport’s security, safety, and operational standards.
The launch also comes shortly after the government pledged in its annual policy and programme to attract international airlines to Pokhara International Airport through diplomatic and policy initiatives.
Niraula said another West Asian carrier, Air Arabia, has also shown interest in operating flights from Pokhara.
Business leaders and tourism stakeholders have welcomed the development, saying the direct link to Dubai could open new opportunities for tourism, trade, employment, and education.
Naresh Kandel, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Gandaki chapter, said the route would particularly benefit thousands of residents from Gandaki Province who travel abroad for work and study.
The direct connection to Dubai is expected to provide Pokhara with access to more than 300 cities across West Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond through international airline networks.
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