Flydubai gets permission to operate flights on Pokhara-Dubai route

KATHMANDU: Flydubai is set to start direct flight services on the Dubai-Pokhara–Dubai route from 23 September, 2026.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has granted permission to Flydubai for daily Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai flights, said Jagannath Niraula, General Manager of Pokhara International Airport (PIA).

“The flight schedule has already been approved on Monday. Daily Pokhara-Dubai flights will commence from September 23,” informed Niraula.

A technical team from Flydubai, an Emirati government-owned airline based in Dubai, recently carried out a detailed inspection of security, safety and operational readiness at Pokhara International Airport prior to the approval.

Welcoming the decision, Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya described it as a major milestone for Nepal’s third international gateway.

He said the direct link with Dubai would open access to more than 300 global destinations across the Middle East, Europe and beyond, boosting tourism and helping reduce pressure on Kathmandu’s aviation hub.

Although inaugurated in January 2023, the Airport, built at a cost of around Rs 22 billion, has so far seen limited international operations, with most flights remaining domestic.

A brief international service by Himalaya Airlines on the Pokhara-Lhasa route in 2025 was later discontinued.

Tourism entrepreneurs have long been calling for regular international flights, noting that the airport has already attracted nearly Rs 100 billion in tourism-related investments in Pokhara.

They have also urged expansion of routes to major cities in India and China.