Though Pokhara International Airport has been operational for over two years, it had yet to see regular international flights until now.
The inaugural flight is a result of extensive collaboration between the public and private sectors, including the Pokhara Tourism Council, Sichuan Airlines, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and tourism businesses.
The successful arrival of this charter flight highlights a major step toward boosting tourism in the region and establishing Pokhara as a key international travel hub.
A Step Toward Regular Air Service
Sichuan Airlines has committed to operating three additional charter flights from Chengdu to Pokhara, with the goal of transitioning the route into a regular service.
According to Jeevanraj Sapkota, Secretary-General of the Pokhara Tourism Council, the airline’s effort to offer chartered flights is a step toward introducing a regular flight schedule with fixed fares after the completion of the initial three flights.
This development is expected to significantly enhance tourism in Pokhara, which is already a renowned destination for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultural heritage.
The charter flight, priced at Rs 62,000, provides an affordable yet essential gateway for travelers from Chengdu to Pokhara. After the initial flights, Sichuan Airlines plans to announce a regular schedule with standardized pricing.
Economic Boost and Tourism Prospects
The push for international flights from Pokhara is seen as a critical driver of economic growth and tourism development, not only for Pokhara but for the broader Gandaki Province.
Taranath Pahari, Chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, stated that the arrival of these international flights will invigorate the tourism industry, bringing increased visitor numbers to Pokhara and beyond.
Approximately 1,250 Chinese tourists from Sichuan Province are expected to visit the region over the next three months, marking a promising future for local businesses and the tourism sector.
The Nepal Tourism Board and the Pokhara Tourism Council have organized a week-long tourism promotion program in Chengdu, Lijiang, Emei, Leshan, and Chongqing. This program, along with the “Nepal Evening” and Sales Mission events in Chengdu and Chongqing on March 19 and 22, aims to strengthen cultural exchange and attract Chinese tourists to Nepal.
Key Figures and Future Prospects
The inauguration of the charter flight was attended by key figures including Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Maniraj Lamichhane, and Gobbahadur Bhattarai, Coordinator of the Pokhara Visit Year 2025 Action Committee
. These prominent figures emphasized the importance of regular international flights to promote Pokhara as a major tourist destination.
In a statement, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Pradeep Adhikari, praised the success of the flight and underscored the importance of maintaining this momentum to ensure sustained international air connectivity for Pokhara. He noted that both the Civil Aviation Authority and private sector stakeholders had played a key role in facilitating this breakthrough.
The collaboration between the Pokhara Metropolitan City and Sichuan Province is expected to foster even stronger ties, especially with ongoing discussions and meetings with Luzhou city officials, which will address important bilateral matters related to tourism development.
A Bright Future for Pokhara International Airport
Although Pokhara International Airport officially opened on Jan 1, 2023, and had initially faced challenges due to the absence of commercial flights, the arrival of this charter flight signals a turning point.
Local officials and tourism professionals are optimistic that the successful operation of these flights will pave the way for the launch of regular international flights, turning Pokhara into a major international tourist hub.
As part of the initiative to promote Nepal’s tourism, the Nepal Tourism Board has played an active role in the promotion, with Lamichhane expressing confidence that the Sales Mission events in Chengdu and Chongqing will help further position Nepal as a top travel destination in Asia.
With increasing collaboration and a growing number of international tourists, the future of Pokhara’s tourism industry looks brighter than ever.
