Pokhara’s tourism sector has begun a coordinated effort to ensure the new Pokhara-Dubai direct flight becomes a sustainable international connection rather than a short-term service. With fly Dubai scheduled to begin daily flights from September 23, 2026, tourism entrepreneurs are seeking wider cooperation from government agencies, businesses, local communities and other stakeholders to build strong passenger demand and secure the route’s long-term future.
The initiative gained momentum after representatives of Pokhara’s tourism and business community met Abdulla Saeed Mubarak Jarwan Al Shamsi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nepal, to discuss the continuity and sustainability of the upcoming service. The discussions focused on how joint efforts could help make the route effective while strengthening Pokhara’s position in the international tourism market.
Tourism Leaders Want The Route To Last
Pom Narayan Shrestha, immediate past president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said the main concern was how to make the Pokhara Dubai service effective and sustainable. He emphasized the need for cooperation and necessary initiatives from all sides to ensure the flight continues successfully. The meeting was attended by former Nepal Tourism Board board member Basudev Tripathi, Hotel Association Pokhara President Laxman Subedi and Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Gokarna Karki, among other representatives. The engagement followed an earlier meeting between flydubai’s Nepal representative and Pokhara tourism entrepreneurs, where stakeholders also stressed that support from local residents and the wider business community would be important.
The focus on sustainability comes from the experience of previous international services from Pokhara. Although the airport has handled charter flights to destinations in China, India and Bhutan, establishing regular international commercial flights has remained a major challenge.
Dubai Opens A Wider Door To The World
The significance of the new service goes beyond the Pokhara-Dubai connection itself. Dubai is one of the world’s major international aviation hubs, and the direct route could give passengers from Gandaki Province and surrounding areas easier access to more than 250 destinations worldwide, including major cities such as London, New York and Tokyo. For international tourists, the connection could make Pokhara much easier to reach. Travelers interested in trekking, mountain tourism, adventure activities and cultural experiences could fly directly into Nepal’s tourism capital instead of first arriving in Kathmandu and arranging another journey to Pokhara.
The service could also benefit Nepali travelers heading abroad for foreign employment, education, business and leisure, particularly passengers traveling to Gulf countries and onward destinations through Dubai. This two-way flow of passengers will be important in creating the demand needed to keep the route commercially viable.
A Major Test For Pokhara International Airport
The planned service could become a significant turning point for Pokhara International Airport, which opened in January 2023 but has struggled to establish regular international commercial operations. Flydubai’s service would become the airport’s second regular international commercial connection, following Himalaya Airlines’ Pokhara Lhasa service launched in March 2025. That service was later suspended because of low passenger numbers, making the sustainability of the new Dubai route an important concern for Pokhara’s tourism industry.
The success of the Pokhara Dubai route could strengthen confidence in the airport and encourage other international airlines to consider launching services from Pokhara. It could also support the government’s broader efforts to attract international carriers and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on Kathmandu for international air travel. For tourism businesses, the opportunity is substantial. A reliable international connection could increase visitor arrivals, support hotels and restaurants, strengthen trekking and tour businesses, and generate wider economic activity across Gandaki Province.
The Real Goal Is More Than A First Flight
Tourism entrepreneurs now want the September 23 launch to become the beginning of a lasting international air connection, not simply a headline event. Maintaining the service will require strong passenger demand, effective international promotion and continued cooperation between fly dubai, tourism businesses, government agencies and local communities. If successfully sustained, the Pokhara Dubai route could transform the way international travelers reach Pokhara and give the city a stronger role in Nepal’s global tourism network. It could also provide residents of western Nepal with a more convenient gateway to the world.
For Pokhara, therefore, the challenge is no longer simply getting an international flight. The bigger challenge is making that flight last. With coordinated efforts from the tourism sector and other stakeholders, the new Dubai connection could become a long-term foundation for international tourism, business and economic growth in the region.
