After nearly a month of suspension caused by adverse weather and disruptions linked to the “Gen Z” protests, the Pokhara–Jomsom air service has officially resumed operations from today. The reopening coincides with improving weather conditions and the start of the autumn tourist season, bringing much-needed relief to both travelers and local tourism businesses.
The popular route had been heavily affected not only by unpredictable monsoon weather but also by border closures and cancellations of bookings in the aftermath of the demonstrations. With the resumption of flights, hopes are rising for a revival of the tourism sector in Jomsom and the broader Mustang region.
Summit Air Restarts Regular Flights
Summit Airlines became the first private airline to resume regular services on this critical route. According to Suman Thakali, Summit’s Jomsom Station In-Charge, the airline operated its first two flights today using its Twin Otter aircraft, carrying a mix of Nepali and international passengers. Among the passengers were 10 Indian tourists and 24 foreign travelers from other countries, marking a positive restart for the service.
Thakali explained that services had been halted for three weeks due to bad weather, compounded by disruptions caused by the protests. “Before the demonstrations, flights were already irregular due to weather conditions. Once protests began and the Indian border was temporarily closed, even those who had booked tickets canceled their plans, leading to the suspension of the service,” he said.
Increasing Demand From Tourists
Despite the earlier disruptions, Thakali expressed confidence that demand for tickets is recovering strongly. With the autumn trekking season now underway, bookings are being made again by both domestic and international tourists. “The situation is normalizing, and foreign tourists are making new reservations. Summit Airlines will not halt regular services again. As more air travelers arrive in Jomsom, flight frequency is also expected to increase,” Thakali added.
Role of Other Airlines
While Summit has already resumed operations, Tara Air is also preparing to restart its services. Sujan Lalchan, Tara Air’s Jomsom Station In-Charge, confirmed that the airline is set to relaunch flights from October 1. Once Tara Air rejoins the route, more options will be available for passengers heading to Mustang.
In addition, the Nepal Army’s Twin Otter aircraft landed at Jomsom today to retrieve Nepali and foreign soldiers who had just completed their mountain warfare training exercises. The combined presence of civilian and military flights signaled renewed activity at Jomsom Airport.
Civil Aviation Authority Confirms Restart
According to Deepak Pokharel, Chief of Jomsom Civil Aviation Office, the long-awaited Pokhara–Jomsom flights are once again operational. Pokharel confirmed that Summit operated two flights today and that additional airlines are lining up to rejoin the service. The Civil Aviation Authority has expressed optimism that consistent flights will help stabilize the tourism industry in the region.
Tourism Industry Welcomes the Restart
For Jomsom and Mustang, which rely heavily on tourism, the suspension of flights dealt a severe blow during what is typically a busy travel season. Hoteliers, trekking operators, and local businesses had been struggling due to the lack of visitors. With flights now resuming, the atmosphere has shifted toward hope and optimism.
Nishan Tulachan, owner of Hotel Majestic in Jomsom, shared his relief. “The protests had severely slowed down our tourism business. Now that flights have resumed, we believe tourism will become vibrant again. Tourists can finally start arriving without uncertainty, and this will breathe life into local businesses,” he said.
A Vital Gateway to Mustang
The Pokhara–Jomsom route is not only important for foreign trekkers heading to Upper Mustang or the sacred Muktinath Temple, but also for domestic travelers and pilgrims. During festival seasons, demand for this air route is especially high, as road travel is often difficult due to landslides, floods, and the long travel time. By restoring regular flights, airlines are ensuring that both international trekkers and Nepali pilgrims can reach Mustang safely and efficiently, bypassing the challenging road networks.
Looking Ahead
With the festival season approaching and the trekking season in full swing, the resumption of Pokhara–Jomsom flights is expected to bring immediate benefits to tourism. Airline companies are also expected to add more flights in the coming weeks to accommodate the growing demand.
For now, the successful return of Summit Airlines to the skies has been welcomed by both travelers and tourism entrepreneurs. The upcoming restart of Tara Air will further strengthen connectivity. As the situation continues to stabilize, Jomsom and the surrounding Mustang region are looking forward to regaining their place as one of Nepal’s most popular destinations for adventure, culture, and spiritual tourism.
