Pokhara, July 27. Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have once again drawn the government’s attention yesterday towards operating regular international flights from the Pokhara International Airport. A delegation from the Hotel Association Pokhara recently met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to request their support in initiating regular flight services.
Ahead of Prime Minister Oli’s upcoming visit to India, the delegation requested through Finance Minister Paudel that efforts be made to establish direct flights between Pokhara and various Indian cities. According to the business community, such connectivity would allow a significant number of Indian tourists to travel directly to Pokhara, giving a much-needed boost to the region’s tourism sector.
“The Prime Minister must raise the issue of direct flights between Indian cities and Pokhara during his India visit,” said the entrepreneurs, adding, “These connections would provide relief to the struggling tourism industry.”
During the meeting, Finance Minister Paudel assured the delegation that he would make every possible effort to initiate international flights from both Pokhara and Bhairahawa’s new airports. This was confirmed by Bharat Raj Parajuli, Central Member of the Hotel Association and Coordinator of the Advisory Council of Hotel Association Pokhara.
The delegation also requested the implementation of the budgetary provision that grants tourism the same facilities as other industries. In a separate meeting, the team met with UAE Ambassador Abdullah Saeed Mubarak in Kathmandu and urged him to support establishing direct flights between Pokhara and Dubai.
On this occasion, Ambassador Mubarak assured the delegation that he would present the proposal to Fly Dubai. Laxman Subedi, President of Hotel Association Pokhara, stated that the ambassador was positive about promoting tourism in Pokhara and encouraging investment from Dubai in the city’s tourism sector.
At present, Pokhara International Airport has direct flight connections only to Chinese cities like Chengdu and Lhasa. Despite repeated requests from tourism stakeholders, no direct air links have been established between Pokhara and other international destinations, particularly in India.
The delegation also discussed infrastructure development with Finance Minister Paudel. He informed them that the foundation stone for the Pokhara–Naya Pul tunnel road is about to be laid. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the road is already completed, and budget allocations have been made in the current fiscal year.
The team also requested the minister to expedite the completion of the Pokhara–Muglin road, which is in its final phase, and to ensure the timely upgrading of the Narayanghat–Butwal road.
