Pokhara, 27 Jul: Tourism entrepreneurs have once again drawn the government’s attention toward operating regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport. A delegation from the Hotel Association Pokhara recently met with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and the Ambassador of the UAE, urging them to take necessary steps for initiating regular flights.
Ahead of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India, the association’s team requested, through Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, that the Prime Minister push for direct flights from various Indian cities to Pokhara. According to the business community, if direct air connectivity between Pokhara and Indian cities is established, a significant number of Indian tourists could travel directly to Pokhara.
“Prime Minister Oli must prioritize the initiation of direct flights from Pokhara International Airport to Indian cities during his upcoming visit to India,” business leaders have said. “If direct flights are launched, it will provide a much-needed boost to the tourism sector.”
Similarly, during discussions with Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Bharat Raj Parajuli — central member of the Hotel Association and coordinator of the Advisory Council of Hotel Association Pokhara — informed that the minister assured them of his full efforts to facilitate international flights from the newly built airports in Pokhara and Bhairahawa.
Parajuli also stated that the association urged Minister Paudel to implement the provisions announced in the current fiscal budget that extend the same benefits to the tourism industry as other sectors.
Additionally, the delegation met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nepal, Abdullah Saeed Mubarak, in Kathmandu, requesting support in initiating direct air connectivity between Pokhara and Dubai.
On the occasion, UAE Ambassador Abdullah assured that he would propose the idea of a Pokhara–Dubai flight to Flydubai, according to Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara. President Subedi also mentioned that the ambassador expressed a positive outlook on promoting tourism in Pokhara and attracting investment from Dubai into the city’s tourism sector.
In recent times, Pokhara International Airport has seen flights to Chengdu and Lhasa in China. However, apart from these Chinese cities, Pokhara has not yet managed to establish direct air connections with any other international destinations. Tourism entrepreneurs have repeatedly appealed to government officials to facilitate direct flights from Pokhara to various Indian cities.
During the meeting with Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, the minister informed the delegation that the foundation stone for the Pokhara–Naya Pul tunnel road is set to be laid soon, according to Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association. Minister Paudel shared that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the tunnel has already been completed and that a budget allocation has been made in the current fiscal year.
The delegation also urged Minister Paudel to expedite the construction work of the Pokhara–Muglin road, which is crucial and nearing completion alongside the final phase of the Narayanghat–Butwal road upgrade.
