The long-awaited international flights from Pokhara are now set to begin. On the morning of Chaitra 5, a Chinese Airlines Sichuan flight will land at Pokhara International Airport, bringing 127 Chinese tourists. On the same day, 127 Nepali tourism entrepreneurs will depart for Chengdu at noon.
In the first chartered flight, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, the head of the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki, the coordinator of the Pokhara Visit Year 2025 program, the chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, and representatives from various tourism associations and entrepreneurs will be present.
Though two years have passed since the opening of Pokhara International Airport, the lack of regular international flights had negatively impacted the tourism business in Gandaki Province. This flight has been launched with the cooperation of the PTC, the Chinese Embassy, and Sichuan Airlines to address that demand.
According to Tara Nath Pahari, Chairman of the PTC, the goal is to bring around 1,250 Chinese tourists over the next three months. Initially, the flights will be chartered, but there are plans to eventually transition to regular international flights. The Chinese Embassy, Sichuan Airlines, and China Travel International Chengdu are collaborating on this initiative.
The first Nepali team will visit Chengdu, Luzhou, ME, Lishan, and Chongqing for an eight-day tour. The trip will focus on studying tourism infrastructure, management, and cooperation. On Chait 6, a Nepal tourism promotion program will be held in Chengdu, and on Chaitra 9, in Chongqing.
According to Mani Raj Lamichhane, the head of the Nepal Tourism Board Pokhara, tourism promotion programs will be held in various cities in China in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepali Embassy. The Mayor Mr. Dhanraj Acharya will also discuss cooperation with senior officials in Luzhou.
Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that the airport is now fully international. The Pokhara-Chengdu flight is not only an opportunity for tourism promotion but also a chance to strengthen the relationship between the two cities. He also mentioned that the airport now operates 24 hours a day, providing a convenient environment for international flights.
