Flydubai’s regular Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai service continued to receive an encouraging passenger response on its fourth day of operation, with 156 passengers arriving in Pokhara and 83 passengers departing for Dubai on Saturday.
156 Passengers Arrive in Pokhara
According to Binod Singh Rawat, Information Officer at Pokhara International Airport, the Flydubai aircraft landed at the airport at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday carrying 156 passengers. It subsequently departed for Dubai with 83 passengers from Pokhara. The latest passenger figures have further encouraged tourism businesses and stakeholders in Pokhara, who have been closely monitoring the performance of the newly launched international service.
Strong Passenger Movement Since Inauguration
Flydubai began regular service on Wednesday. During its inaugural flight, 113 passengers arrived in Pokhara from Dubai, while 152 passengers departed from Pokhara for Dubai. On Thursday, the airline carried 122 passengers from Dubai to Pokhara, while 143 passengers travelled from Pokhara to Dubai.
However, the Pokhara–Dubai flight was cancelled on Friday due to adverse weather conditions. Despite the weather-related disruption, the passenger numbers recorded during the other operating days have generated optimism among tourism stakeholders about the potential of the new international connection.
Tourism Businesses Encouraged by Early Response
Former President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, Pom Narayan Shrestha, described the initial response to the Pokhara–Dubai service as positive and encouraging. He said bookings for the service have been good and that tour and travel businesses are also responding positively to the new connectivity. Hotels and restaurants in Pokhara have also introduced various discount packages targeting passengers arriving through the new international service, he said.
Daily Evening Service to Dubai
According to airport official Rawat, Flydubai is scheduled to land in Pokhara at 6:15 p.m. every day and depart for Dubai at 7:15 p.m. The airline has launched the Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai service using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a capacity of 165 passengers. Flydubai is the first airline to begin regular commercial international flights from Pokhara International Airport. Previously, several airlines had operated international charter flights from the airport.
New Gateway for International Tourists
The launch of the regular Flydubai service has connected Pokhara with Dubai and, through Dubai, provides easier access to Pokhara for travellers from numerous countries around the world. Tourism stakeholders expect the new connectivity to support tourism, business, employment and broader economic activity in Pokhara and surrounding areas. The service is particularly significant for Pokhara International Airport, which began operations in January 2023 but had not previously secured a regular international commercial service.
Government Incentives Support International Operations
The Flydubai service began shortly after the government announced plans through its current fiscal year’s policy and programme to undertake diplomatic initiatives to attract international airlines to Pokhara International Airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) granted Flydubai permission to operate the Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai service on Jestha 25, 2083.
To encourage international airlines to operate from Pokhara, the government has also introduced exemptions and discounts on several airport charges. Under the decision, parking, landing and navigation charges have been fully waived until the end of Bhadra 2085, while a 50 percent discount has been provided on ground-handling charges. The incentives are intended to make the airport more attractive to international airlines and support the expansion of regular international connectivity from Pokhara.
