In a significant move aimed at expanding domestic air connectivity, preparations have begun to launch flights from Pokhara International Airport to all seven provinces of Nepal. The initiative, led by Pokhara Metropolitan City, is intended to establish Pokhara as a vital domestic aviation hub.
A high-level discussion was recently held on expanding domestic air services from Pokhara, attended by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey; Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya; Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Pradeep Adhikari; and representatives of major private airlines.
During the meeting, three leading airlines Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, and Shree Airlines expressed their willingness to introduce new domestic routes from Pokhara. Yeti Airlines showed interest in launching services towards the eastern regions, while Shree Airlines agreed to operate flights on western routes. Buddha Air proposed operating flights on central routes.
Pokhara International Airport
Participants stated that each airline has agreed to add at least one or two new routes. There was also an informal agreement that one airline would not immediately operate flights to a destination already launched by another, ensuring route diversification.
Key figures including Suvarna Kharel from Buddha Air, Sonam Sherpa from Yeti Airlines, and Sudhir Mittal from Shree Airlines, along with Manoj Karki from Summit Air, expressed readiness to expand services. They also emphasized the need for feasibility studies to ensure sustainable operations and agreed to provide services beyond regular routes if necessary.
Concerns were raised over a decline in passenger numbers, which airlines attributed to the rising cost of operations. Factors such as increased maintenance costs due to the rising U.S. dollar, as well as government-imposed VAT on tickets, have made air travel more expensive and less attractive, the airline representatives noted. They reported that overall operational costs have surged by up to 43%.
To support the airlines, Pokhara Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board, Mani Raj Lamichhane, stated that the Board is working to identify and promote new destinations. “We are committed to promoting these routes and informing tourists, with the goal of establishing tourism as a pillar of prosperity,” he said.
There are also plans to begin these new flights on September 27, coinciding with World Tourism Day. Additionally, Summit Air is in talks to launch flights from Pokhara’s old domestic airport to remote destinations such as Dolpa or Rara.
Mayor Acharya urged private airlines to collaborate in ensuring that flights are operational to airports in all seven provinces, stating that Pokhara is well-equipped and ready. He also requested clarity from Minister Pandey regarding the use of the old domestic airport.
Director General Adhikari of CAAN dismissed recent speculations and controversies surrounding Pokhara International Airport as baseless. He reiterated that the airport is fully capable of operating at full capacity and pledged CAAN’s support in managing services to various destinations nationwide.
Minister Pandey encouraged service providers to operate regular flights to all viable internal destinations from Pokhara’s modern international airport. He acknowledged the VAT issue and noted that the government is studying ways to address it. He also announced that the government is working to equalize airfares for both domestic and foreign passengers.
