Kaski, September 23
Flydubai is beginning regular flights on the Dubai-Pokhara-Dubai route from Pokhara International Airport from Wednesday.
The launch of regular international flights has generated excitement among tourism entrepreneurs, industrialists and the general public in Pokhara, as the airport, which began operations on January 1, 2023, had not been able to sustain regular international services.
Airport General Manager Jagannath Niraula said all preparations and infrastructure required for international flights had been completed. According to him, a Flydubai aircraft will land at Pokhara at 6:15 pm and depart for Dubai with passengers at 7:15 pm. The aircraft will be given a water cannon salute upon arrival.
The airport is fully prepared to provide immigration, customs, cargo and other services, Niraula said.
Tourism entrepreneurs and businesspeople in Pokhara are also preparing to welcome and bid farewell to passengers and tourists arriving from and departing for Dubai with khadas and garlands.
Pokhara Customs Office Chief Hari Bhandari said all preparations required for customs procedures, including revenue collection, facilitating legitimate trade, and passenger clearance and import-export procedures, had been completed.
Former president of the Pokhara Tourism Council Pomanarayan Shrestha said the regular flight could help make Pokhara’s international air connectivity sustainable, as Dubai is a major global transit hub and Flydubai operates flights to more than 120 destinations.
Chief District Officer Kuman Singh Gurung said necessary security arrangements had also been made at the airport.
