A high-level delegation from Flydubai, one of the world’s leading aviation service providers, held detailed discussions with the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, on Tuesday regarding the possibility of launching direct international flights from Pokhara International Airport.
The delegation was led by Adrian Lukasz, Vice President for Aviation Risk Management at Flydubai, who met the Mayor and discussed multiple areas of mutual interest, including flight operations, safety compliance, tourism promotion between Pokhara and Dubai, and the technical requirements for international air connectivity. According to Mayor Acharya, Vice President Lukasz, who has more than 20 years of experience in aviation safety and operations, expressed strong interest in initiating flights to and from Pokhara International Airport in the near future.
Extensive Technical Inspection Conducted at Pokhara Airport
Before the meeting with the Mayor, the Flydubai technical team conducted an extensive six-hour on-site inspection of Pokhara International Airport. The team held detailed discussions with the airport’s General Manager, Jagannath Niraula, and technical officials, reviewing critical operational areas.
The inspection covered the runway conditions, safety systems, air navigation infrastructure, emergency response readiness, and overall operational capacity of the airport. The delegation also assessed compliance with international aviation safety standards required for commercial international flights. Officials stated that the inspection was aimed at evaluating whether Pokhara International Airport meets the operational requirements for regular international services.
Flydubai Declares Airport Technically Ready
Following the detailed review, Vice President Adrian Lukasz reportedly expressed satisfaction with the airport’s infrastructure and preparedness. He stated that Pokhara International Airport is technically and operationally suitable for regular international flights. He further conveyed that Flydubai is interested in launching direct daily flights between Pokhara and Dubai as early as possible, subject to final regulatory and operational approvals.
“We conducted a detailed six-hour inspection of the airport’s technical and safety systems. Pokhara International Airport is fully ready for regular international operations. We are interested in starting daily flights between Pokhara and Dubai,” Lukasz said during the meeting.
Appreciation for Local Leadership and Coordination Efforts
During the discussions, the Flydubai delegation also appreciated the continuous efforts of Mayor Dhanraj Acharya in facilitating international flight connectivity for Pokhara. Lukasz thanked the Mayor for his coordination and proactive initiatives in promoting Pokhara as an international aviation destination. Mayor Acharya has been actively engaging with aviation stakeholders and government authorities to ensure that Pokhara International Airport begins full-scale international operations after years of preparation and investment.
Potential Global Connectivity to Over 300 Cities
Flydubai is a sister airline of Emirates, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious aviation groups. If the Pokhara–Dubai route is launched, it will immediately connect Pokhara to Emirates’ global network of more than 300 cities worldwide. This connectivity is expected to significantly enhance access for tourists traveling from Europe, America, Africa, and the Middle East, who will be able to reach Pokhara through Dubai with greater ease and convenience.
High-Level Negotiations Near Final Stage
According to officials, multiple high-level meetings have already been held involving Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, senior Flydubai executives, and Nepali representatives of the airline, along with Pokhara Metropolitan leadership. These discussions have focused on regulatory approvals, operational readiness, safety standards, and potential flight schedules. Authorities now believe that the process is approaching its final stage, with an official announcement of flight commencement dates expected soon.
Mayor Acharya stated that the progress achieved so far has generated significant optimism among tourism entrepreneurs and residents of Pokhara. “The possibility of direct international flights from Pokhara will be a milestone for tourism and economic development. It will connect Pokhara directly to global markets,” he said.
Boost to Tourism and Regional Connectivity
Stakeholders believe that the launch of direct flights will eliminate the long-standing need for residents of Gandaki Province to travel to Kathmandu for international departures. It will also open new opportunities for inbound tourism, especially from the Middle East and other global markets. The development is expected to significantly boost tourism, trade, and foreign employment opportunities, while strengthening Pokhara’s position as Nepal’s tourism capital.
Airport Built with Major Investment but Yet to See Regular International Flights
Pokhara International Airport, constructed with an investment of over NPR 22 billion with assistance from the Government of China, was officially inaugurated on Poush 17, 2079 BS. Despite its modern infrastructure, the airport has not yet begun regular international operations and is currently limited to domestic flights. Officials and stakeholders have repeatedly emphasized the need for international connectivity to fully utilize the airport’s capacity and realize its economic potential.
The discussions between Flydubai and Pokhara Metropolitan City mark a significant step toward integrating Pokhara into global aviation networks. With technical readiness reportedly confirmed and negotiations progressing positively, stakeholders are optimistic that direct international flights from Pokhara International Airport may soon become a reality, opening a new chapter in Nepal’s aviation and tourism sector.
