- Flydubai begins direct flights between Pokhara and Dubai on September 23, significantly boosting Nepal’s international aviation connectivity.
- The service is the airport's second regular international route, following previous challenges in establishing consistent commercial flight operations.
- The new connection offers improved travel convenience for tourists, students, and migrant workers heading to the Middle East and beyond.
- Stakeholders hope this move will increase airport utilization and solidify Pokhara’s position as an emerging global travel hub.
Pokhara, Nepal: Flydubai is set to begin direct flights between Pokhara and Dubai from September 23, marking a significant step forward in Nepal’s international air connectivity.
The new route will connect Pokhara directly with Dubai—one of the world’s major aviation hubs—offering passengers easier access to global destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and beyond through convenient transit connections.
The development is seen as an important milestone for the Pokhara International Airport, which was inaugurated three years ago but has struggled to establish regular international flight operations.
So far, international operations from the airport have remained limited. In March 2025, Himalaya Airlines launched a scheduled Pokhara–Lhasa service, marking the first regular international flight from the airport. However, the service was later suspended due to low passenger demand.
Apart from this, Pokhara International Airport has mainly handled charter flights to destinations in China, India, and Bhutan.
With Flydubai’s entry, the Pokhara–Dubai route will become only the second regular international commercial service from the airport. Tourism entrepreneurs and aviation stakeholders have expressed hope that the new connection will increase passenger traffic, improve airport utilization, and strengthen Pokhara’s position as an emerging international travel hub.
The route is also expected to make travel more convenient for Nepali migrant workers, students, and tourists traveling to Gulf countries and other destinations for employment, education, and tourism.
Officials say the long-term success of the service will depend on passenger demand and operational performance in the coming months.
