Fly Dubai Begins Regular Flights at Pokhara International Airport, Tourism Entrepreneurs Optimistic

Fly Dubai is starting regular flights on the Dubai–Pokhara–Dubai route from today at Pokhara International Airport. The airport, which began operations on 17 Poush 2079 BS (English New Year's Day), had not been able to sustain regular international flights. The launch of Fly Dubai's regular service has excited local tourism entrepreneurs, industrialists, and the general public.

According to airport General Manager Jagannath Niraula, all preparations and infrastructure management required for international flights have been completed. The Fly Dubai aircraft will land in Pokhara at 6:15 PM on Wednesday and depart for Dubai at 7:15 PM with passengers. The aircraft will be welcomed at Pokhara Airport with a water salute.

Niraula stated that the airport is ready to provide all services, including immigration, customs, and cargo.

'We are waiting for this day. All preparations for the services to be provided by the airport have been completed. After the airport began operations, some airlines conducted international flights, but they could not continue. Now that daily regular flights to Dubai are about to begin, we are excited,' he said.

Tourism and business entrepreneurs in Pokhara have arranged to welcome and bid farewell to passengers and tourists arriving from and departing to Dubai on Fly Dubai flights with khadas and garlands.

Hari Bhandari, Chief of the Pokhara Airport Customs Office, said all preparations for customs procedures have been completed.

'We handle revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade, passenger clearance, and import-export operations. All necessary preparations and management for that have been completed,' he said.

Former President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, Pomnarayan Shrestha, expressed hope that the Pokhara–Dubai flight will be regular and long-term, as Dubai is a global air transit hub and Fly Dubai operates flights to more than 120 destinations.

'Fly Dubai has its own flights to many cities around the world. In addition, Dubai is an air transit hub for many cities worldwide. This can make Pokhara's international flights sustainable in the long term,' he said.

He also noted that since Nepali youth are going to Dubai for employment and studies, flights from Pokhara will provide convenience.

The District Security Committee has also inspected the airport regarding necessary peace and security arrangements for international flight operations from Pokhara. Chief District Officer Kuman Singh Gurung informed that all necessary security arrangements have been made at the airport.