Eighteen months have passed since the inauguration of Pokhara International Airport, yet international flights have not commenced. This delay has led to significant financial strain and disappointment among tourism entrepreneurs who had heavily invested in anticipation of increased tourist traffic. The airport, built at an approximate cost of NPR 22 billion, remains underutilized, adding to the state’s financial burden and raising concerns about the return on such a significant investment.
Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara, known as Nepal’s tourism hub, had high expectations that the airport would connect the city to the international air network, resulting in a significant influx of foreign tourists. However, the delay in starting international flights has left them disheartened. Pom Narayan Shrestha, President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, highlighted the substantial investments made in the tourism sector following the airport’s construction, amounting to nearly NPR 100 billion.
“We estimate that around NPR 600 billion has been invested in Pokhara’s tourism sector. Currently, several star hotels are under construction, but the hoteliers who invested with the expectation of international flights are now facing difficulties and disappointment,” Shrestha stated. “Our demand to the government is to start international flights from Pokhara as soon as possible.”
Shrestha emphasized that fully operationalizing Pokhara International Airport could significantly boost tourism not only in Pokhara but also in the entire Gandaki Province. Another tourism entrepreneur, Gopi Bhattarai, echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment over the government’s lack of initiative in starting international flights.
“We were thrilled and excited when the airport was built, but after 18 months without international flights, we are disheartened,” Bhattarai remarked. “Even starting flights to neighboring countries like China and India could attract significant numbers of tourists to Pokhara.” Bhattarai also noted that Pokhara has over 1,200 hotels with the capacity to accommodate 40,000 tourists daily.
Anand Raj Mulmi, former central president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, lamented that although Pokhara’s 50-year-old dream of having an airport was realized, the lack of international flights is regrettable. He suggested that the government should quickly engage in diplomatic efforts to start international flights.
Mulmi also highlighted the growing criticism of the airport due to the delay in its full operation. He stressed that without international flights, Pokhara cannot fully benefit from its status as a tourist capital. The potential for economic growth and increased tourist traffic remains untapped, affecting not only local businesses but also the broader regional economy.
Last week, a parliamentary subcommittee led by MP Rajendra Lingden inspected the airport. The Pokhara Tourism Council presented a memorandum demanding the initiation of international flights. According to Shrestha, the memorandum called for policy and regulatory facilitation for international flights, permission for national airlines to operate flights to major cities in India and China, and the launch of regular international flights by Nepal Airlines from Pokhara.
The subcommittee, formed in response to complaints lodged with the Public Accounts Committee regarding potential errors and irregularities during the airport’s construction, conducted on-site inspections of both the airport and Ritthepani Hill, which was cut during construction. The investigation aims to identify any wrongdoing and hold those responsible accountable.
The subcommittee is also tasked with identifying the reasons for the delay in international flights and pushing for their commencement. Discussions during the inspection covered the financial investment in the airport, the necessity and justification for its construction, the challenges in regular operations, and plans. The comprehensive nature of this investigation indicates the seriousness of the issue and the need for prompt resolution.
Currently, Pokhara is connected by air to major cities within Nepal, including Kathmandu, Bharatpur, and Bhairahawa, but has yet to see flights to international destinations. The lack of international connectivity hampers the city’s potential as a major tourist destination and limits the economic benefits that such connectivity could bring.
The airport was inaugurated on January 1, 2023, by then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. Despite the initial excitement and high expectations, the prolonged delay in starting international flights has cast a shadow over the project’s potential. The Pokhara International Airport stands as a significant infrastructure project with immense potential to boost tourism and economic growth in the region. However, without the commencement of international flights, this potential remains unrealized, leaving stakeholders frustrated and calling for immediate action from the government.
