Pokhara witnessed a new chapter in regional international airline connectivity after the commencement of flydubai services on the Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai route, creating optimism about the region’s tourism potential and economic growth. The daily service created unusual scenes at the Pokhara International Airport as the passengers from the UAE were welcomed with great enthusiasm. Families and relatives also turned up to wish the near and dear ones heading back to the Middle East.
Besides the local representatives, government officials and tourism officials also reached out at the airport to welcome the inaugural flight. Even the mere sight of the flydubai aircraft, which landed in Pokhara for the first time, attracted people’s attention. The crowd at the airport gathered to witness the first-ever direct international flight to and from Pokhara, even as the city had previously hosted international charter flights.
Long-Awaited International Connectivity for Pokhara
The new international flight service to Dubai marks a significant development for the residents of Pokhara. For them, it was a long-awaited realization of connecting the city with international airline routes. Krishna Bahadur Khadka of Pokhara Metropolitan City–32, who reached Pokhara on the inaugural flight from Dubai, said seeing his hometown and the Rupa Lake from the sky before landing was simply overwhelming.
The former president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, Pom Narayan Shrestha, recalled the efforts of the locals to advocate for the establishment of an international airport in Pokhara. He said the inauguration of the Dubai flight is the beginning of a new era after such persistent efforts for so many years. Shrestha further added that now it is the responsibility of the local representatives to make the most out of this new facility.
Similarly, Nepal Tourism Board executive member Santosh Pokharel expressed his gratitude to the government for bringing international flight service to the destination city. He added that the new gateway could offer direct access from not only Dubai but also other international countries connected to the UAE airport.
Pokharel mentioned that the tourism board is also finalizing the promotional event in the UAE and other international markets to woo more visitors to Pokhara. Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya called the newly initiated direct flight service to Dubai as an opportunity for tourism, business, employment, and economic development. He said the inauguration of this flight marks the first step toward embedding Pokhara in international air routes.
Inaugural Dubai-bound Flight Carried 113 Passengers
The inaugural flight of flydubai, which departed from Dubai International Airport, landed at Pokhara International Airport at around 6:19 pm on Wednesday after a four and a half-hour journey. The aircraft carried 113 passengers and was greeted with a water-cannon salute. It departed from Pokhara at 7:55 pm with 152 passengers on board, as per the airport’s general manager, Jagannath Niraula.
The airport’s general manager said the services would further boost international airline connectivity to the city and promote the tourism sector. The direct flight to Dubai would facilitate easy and affordable travel for both international and domestic tourists. It would also shorten the travel distance to international destinations like Europe, the US, and other regional countries from Pokhara via Dubai.
Representatives from the Pokhara Metropolitan City, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, local airport, and tourism business community came together to welcome the passengers who arrived from the UAE on the inaugural flight. They also bid farewell to the travelers departing for Dubai on the same day.
The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Gandaki also participated in the welcome event. The NATTA Gandaki president Sangeeta Poudel said special gifts and pamphlets were distributed to the passengers. She further added that the visitors were also provided with information about various special offers made for the travelers from flydubai.
Local Tourism Vendors Offer Special Deals
The local hotel owners and restaurant managers also took advantage of the newly initiated international flight service to Dubai. Hotel Association Pokhara President Laxman Subedi said about fifty tourist hotels have joined the campaign, offering a 25 percent discount to the passengers and tourists for the first three months. The star and tourist hotels are also participating, with more hotels likely to join the ongoing promotion.
Further, the passengers arriving from the UAE on the inaugural flight also got one-night free accommodation and breakfast. Similarly, the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara has announced a fifteen to twenty percent discount on the meals for the flydubai passengers at their affiliated restaurants. The direct flight service to Dubai commenced on June 9 and will operate on a daily basis. Flights to and from Dubai will operate at around 6:15 pm and 7:15 pm respectively.
Direct Link to Dubai Expected to Enhance Regional Tourism
The new direct link to Dubai will enable the tourism capital city to be connected to one of the busiest international aviation hubs. Dubai-based flydubai currently operates flights to more than 120 destinations worldwide.
Further, the airline has a codeshare partnership with Emirates, giving the passengers traveling from Pokhara access to the global network of Emirates Airlines. The international travelers connecting through Dubai from Pokhara can also access regional international routes to Australia, Europe, the US, and other destinations.
In addition to helping tourism growth, the daily international flight service will strengthen international airline connectivity from the tourism capital city. The airport authority has been working to attract international carriers to the newly built airport, which commenced commercial operations in January this year, with minimal success.
The government has been vocal about its intent to woo international airlines to operate from Pokhara, and recently, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal permitted flydubai to operate the Dubai-Pokhara-Dubai route on June 8. To encourage international carriers, the government has announced a complete waiver on all parking, landing, and navigation charges at the Pokhara International Airport till the end of Bhadra 2085.
Moreover, the fifty percent discount on the ground handling charges has been announced. With the opening of a new direct international route to Dubai, tourism business owners and representatives have high hopes of enhancing international tourist arrivals in Pokhara, which will have a positive effect on the local hotel and hospitality industry, as well as international travel.
Furthermore, the inauguration of the direct flight service to Dubai has generated optimism that it will contribute to promoting trade, tourism, and overall economic development in Pokhara and the Gandaki region. However, the official welcome program to the inaugural flight service from Dubai was canceled due to the demise of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a member of the ruling family of the UAE.
