Flydubai to launch daily flights on Pokhara-Dubai route from September 23

Flydubai is set to launch direct flights on the Pokhara-Dubai route. Starting September 23, the airline will operate daily flights between Dubai and Pokhara, as confirmed by Jagannath Niraula, the General Manager of Pokhara International Airport.

“The flight schedule for Flydubai’s Pokhara-Dubai route has been approved as of Monday,” he said. “Daily flight services will commence from September 23.”

A team from Flydubai recently conducted a high-level inspection of security, safety, and operations at Pokhara International Airport. Shortly after the government announced diplomatic efforts to attract international airlines to Pokhara in its 2083/84 policy and program, Flydubai received flight approval.

Dhanraj Acharya, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, stated that with Flydubai receiving flight approval, significant progress has been made towards establishing regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport, Nepal’s third international air gateway.

“This is not just about adding an airline service; it’s a historic opportunity to enhance Pokhara’s international identity, promote tourism, expand economic activities, and decentralize air traffic concentrated in Kathmandu,” he said. “With direct air connectivity to Dubai, Pokhara will gain access to over 300 cities in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.”

So far, apart from some charter flights to neighboring countries, regular international flights from Pokhara have not been possible. Built with nearly Rs 22 billion in loans, Pokhara International Airport has been limited to domestic flights since its inauguration on January 1, 2023.

Although private airline Himalaya Airlines initiated the first regular commercial Pokhara-Lhasa flight in March 2025, it did not last long, ceasing operations on March 23.

Despite the realization of a 50-year-old plan to build an international airport in Pokhara, the facility is not yet fully operational. Tourism entrepreneurs, hopeful of attracting a large number of foreign tourists to the tourist capital, are eagerly awaiting regular international flights. They report that nearly Rs 100 billion has been invested in Pokhara’s tourism sector since the airport’s construction.

Entrepreneurs have been calling for facilitation of necessary policies and regulations for international flights from Pokhara, including granting national airlines permission to fly to major cities in India and China. Domestic airlines currently operate flights from Pokhara International Airport to destinations such as Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and Bhairahawa.