Flydubai is set to begin regular direct flights between Dubai and Pokhara from September 23, marking a major milestone in the international connectivity of Nepal’s tourism capital. The inaugural flight is scheduled to land at Pokhara International Airport at 6:15 PM on September 23, with authorities preparing a traditional water cannon salute to welcome the aircraft and passengers. Following the arrival, the aircraft is scheduled to depart Pokhara for Dubai at 7:15 PM on the same day.
Airbus A319 and A320 Aircraft to Operate
According to Binod Singh Rawat, Information Officer at Pokhara International Airport, Flydubai will operate Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft on the Dubai–Pokhara route. The Airbus A319 can accommodate approximately 140–150 passengers, while the Airbus A320 has a capacity of around 160–180 passengers. Rawat said the airline will alternate between the two aircraft types depending on passenger demand.
“There is a significant number of passengers arriving in Pokhara on the first flight, and on the return leg from Pokhara to Dubai, the aircraft will carry both passengers and cargo,” he said. The regular schedule will see the aircraft arrive in Pokhara at 6:15 PM and depart for Dubai at 7:15 PM daily. The inaugural flight, however, could arrive slightly ahead of its scheduled time.
Three Years After Opening, Pokhara Airport to Receive Regular International Service
The launch comes more than three years after the opening of Pokhara International Airport, which had struggled to secure regular international commercial operations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) permitted Flydubai to operate the Dubai–Pokhara route on June 7. The approval followed the government’s policy efforts to attract international airlines to Pokhara International Airport and strengthen the airport’s role as an international gateway for Nepal’s tourism sector. The direct Dubai connection is expected to link Pokhara more closely with the global aviation network through one of the world’s major international transit hubs.
Fares from Pokhara Expected to Be Competitive
Nabaraj Shahi, Flydubai’s Country General Manager for Nepal, said fares for passengers departing from Pokhara could be up to Rs. 5,000 cheaper than comparable flights departing from Kathmandu. Shahi said Flydubai operates direct services to more than 120 destinations worldwide and that promotional discounts and other facilities would be offered to passengers and partner organizations during the initial phase of the operation. The airline’s entry into Pokhara is also expected to encourage other international carriers to consider operating regular services from the airport.
Emirates Codeshare to Expand Global Connectivity
The Dubai–Pokhara service will operate under a strategic codeshare agreement between Flydubai and Emirates, providing passengers with wider international connections through Dubai. Under the arrangement, passengers traveling from Pokhara to destinations in Europe, Australia, the United States, and other international markets will be able to book connecting journeys on a single ticket.
Emirates operates its main hub from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport and serves more than 143 destinations across 76 countries. The codeshare arrangement is expected to make transit through Dubai easier for passengers traveling from Pokhara to long-haul destinations, reducing the complications associated with separate bookings and transfers.
Tourism Sector Welcomes New International Link
Tourism entrepreneurs and residents in Pokhara and the wider Gandaki region have welcomed the launch, describing it as a long-awaited opportunity to establish the city as a more accessible international tourism destination. Government agencies and private-sector stakeholders have also intensified promotional and marketing activities aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the new service.
Hari Bhujel, President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said connecting Pokhara directly with the international aviation network would provide direct benefits to Nepal’s tourism industry. He said tourism entrepreneurs in the region are united in their efforts to support the successful operation of the route.
Similarly, Santosh Pokharel, Executive Member of the Nepal Tourism Board, said ensuring the sustainability of the Dubai–Pokhara service is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. “Flydubai has shown trust in Pokhara, and we must all support it from our respective roles,” he said.
Pokharel stressed the need to address potential operational and market challenges to ensure the route remains sustainable. He added that Flydubai’s presence would enhance Pokhara’s international visibility and strengthen its image as a scenic and attractive tourism destination.
Pokhara Metro and Flydubai Agree to Cooperate
Pokhara Metropolitan City and Flydubai have also reached an understanding to cooperate in areas of mutual interest. The cooperation covers tourism promotion, destination marketing and expansion of international air connectivity. Local authorities and tourism stakeholders are expected to use the new international route to promote Pokhara and surrounding destinations in overseas markets while encouraging greater tourist arrivals.
Access to Major Global Destinations
The new service is expected to provide residents of Gandaki Province and neighboring regions with more convenient international travel options through Dubai. Through Flydubai and its Emirates connectivity, travelers will gain access to a broad network of international destinations, including major cities such as London, New York and Tokyo.
The route is also expected to benefit foreign employment applicants, students, business travelers and other passengers traveling to the Gulf region and destinations beyond. For international tourists, the direct connection will provide an easier gateway to Pokhara, the country’s major lakeside tourism destination, as well as attractions in the surrounding region.
Bookings Extended Through March 2027
Flydubai had initially announced that it would operate daily flights for only one month. However, the airline has now opened bookings through March 26, 2027, signaling a longer-term commitment to the Pokhara market. The extension of bookings has generated optimism among tourism entrepreneurs, who see the continuation of the service as critical to building sustained international connectivity. Stakeholders have emphasized that maintaining passenger demand, strengthening destination marketing and ensuring coordinated support from government and private-sector agencies will be essential for the route’s long-term success.
Second Commercial International Service at Pokhara Airport
The Flydubai service will become the second regular commercial international connection at Pokhara International Airport. In March 2025, Himalaya Airlines began regular commercial flights between Pokhara and Lhasa, China. However, the service was later suspended due to low passenger demand. Pokhara International Airport has also handled charter flights to destinations in China, India, and Bhutan, but it has remained without sustained regular international commercial operations.
The launch of the Dubai service therefore represents a significant development for the airport and the wider tourism industry. With daily flights to Dubai and onward connections through the Flydubai–Emirates network, stakeholders expect the route to strengthen Pokhara’s position in the international tourism market and contribute to tourism, trade, employment, investment and broader economic activity in Gandaki Province. The success of the route could also determine whether other international airlines are encouraged to establish regular services from Pokhara International Airport.
