KATHMANDU: Flydubai has completed one month of regular international flight operations from Pokhara International Airport. Since the service began on Sept. 23, a total of 6,362 passengers have utilized the route.

Jagannath Niraula, general manager of the Pokhara International Airport Civil Aviation Office, stated that 30 flights were conducted during this period. The passenger breakdown includes 4,521 travelers arriving in Pokhara from Dubai and 1,841 departing from Pokhara to Dubai. Niraula noted that the initial month has been encouraging, with the influx of passengers from Dubai boosted by the Dashain and Tihar festivals. “With everyone’s support and efforts, we can be confident that international flights from Pokhara airport will be regular and long-term. Both the government and the private sector must work together on promotional activities,” he said.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya described the first month’s performance as encouraging while emphasizing the need to increase the number of passengers flying from Pokhara to Dubai. He thanked the Flydubai management for opening bookings until October 2027 to ensure continuity. Acharya urged residents of Gandaki Province and local entrepreneurs to prioritize Pokhara as their departure point for international travel. He highlighted that through Flydubai and its partner airline, Emirates, passengers can connect to over 300 global destinations.

Inaugurated on Jan. 1, 2023, the Pokhara airport had remained limited to domestic flights for a long period, with only occasional international charter services. The commencement of regular flights by Flydubai is expected to contribute positively to tourism, trade, employment, and overall regional economic development. The success of these operations has also attracted interest from other airlines to consider operating flights from Pokhara.