KATHMANDU: Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara are expressing confidence in the sustainability of the direct air service between Pokhara and Dubai following the decision by flydubai to extend its booking period. The airline, which launched the service on Sept. 23, has now opened ticket bookings until Oct. 30, 2027.

Pomanarayan Shrestha, operator of Fly Namaste Travels, noted that the extension reflects the positive response received since the service began. While the current volume of passengers arriving from Dubai is higher due to the festive season, officials anticipate an increase in outbound traffic from Pokhara once the holidays conclude.

According to Binod Singh Rawat, information officer at the Pokhara International Airport, the service has been operating regularly, with only one cancellation recorded due to adverse weather since the launch on Sept. 23. The flight schedule sees the aircraft landing in Pokhara at 6:15 p.m. and departing for Dubai at 7:15 p.m. daily. As of last Monday, the service had transported 3,113 passengers to Pokhara and 1,423 passengers to Dubai.

Flydubai is utilizing a Boeing 737 Max 8 with a capacity of 165 passengers for this route. It is the first airline to operate regular international flights from the airport, which had previously only handled charter flights since opening in January 2023. Local businesses, including hotels and restaurants, have introduced special promotional packages to accommodate the influx of passengers.

To attract international carriers, the government has waived landing, parking and navigation fees at the airport until mid-September 2028. Additionally, ground handling fees have been reduced by 50 percent. The connection via Dubai is expected to integrate Pokhara into the global aviation network, providing a long-term boost to the local economy, tourism and employment.