Qatar Airways has shown a keen interest in expanding its flight operations to Nepal, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral aviation ties. The positive response came during a meeting between Pradeep Adhikari, the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), and Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, the Chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. The discussion took place on the sidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Facilitation Conference held in Qatar.
According to CAAN’s Information Officer, Gyanendra Bhul, Director General Adhikari urged Qatar Airways to consider flights from Bhairahawa and Pokhara. In response, the Chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation indicated that they would assess both the technical feasibility and market potential before making a final decision. Qatar Airways, currently operating with up to 28 weekly flights from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, has expressed its preference to continue with its current flight schedule from Kathmandu. However, a flight from Bhairahawa was temporarily arranged during runway repairs at Tribhuvan International Airport.
In the meeting, Qatar expressed interest in collaborating with Nepal to explore technical and market opportunities for flights from Bhairahawa and Pokhara. The civil aviation authorities of both countries discussed the need for cooperation to assess the viability of these routes. Qatar Airways currently maintains a daily flight schedule from Kathmandu with 28 weekly flights. Qatar Airways’ response to the request for flights from Bhairahawa and Pokhara remains positive, and a swift decision is expected from both parties, CAAN officials stated. The authorities have also formally requested the facilitation of Qatar Airways flights from these two airports.
During the meeting, Qatar also sought Nepal’s support for its bid to secure a position in the ICAO Council, an important body consisting of 36 member countries selected from a pool of 193. Qatar was elected to the ICAO Council for a three-year term in 2022, and now, it is seeking Nepal’s assistance in the upcoming elections scheduled for 2026. In return, Nepal has called for flights to be established from Pokhara as a condition for offering support in the ICAO Council elections. This reciprocal cooperation is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the aviation relations between the two nations.
In a positive development, CAAN has assured Qatar Airways of support in facilitating domestic code-sharing agreements with Nepali airlines for both Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport. A joint technical team will soon be formed to address mutual concerns and expedite the implementation of these flight operations. The meeting concluded with a promising agreement to move forward with cooperation in aviation, highlighting the shared interests of both countries in fostering a strong partnership in the aviation sector.
Meanwhile, Bhairahawa International Airport, which had been served by several international airlines, faced a setback when no international carrier submitted a flight schedule for the summer season starting from April 1, resulting in the suspension of international flights. Before this, airlines like Jazeera Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Fly Dubai had regular operations, while Qatar Airways had previously suspended its services to the airport in December. Similarly, at Pokhara International Airport, Himalaya Airlines and Sichuan Airlines continue their regular operations. This growing interest from Qatar Airways reflects the potential for greater connectivity between Nepal and the Gulf region, providing opportunities for both tourism and trade expansion.
