KASKI, March 12: The Pokhara Tourism Council, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and Sichuan Airlines, will start international flights from Pokhara.
During a press conference in Pokhara on Wednesday, the council explained that although Pokhara Regional International Airport had opened two years ago, regular international flights had not started. Despite alerts from various state bodies, including the Prime Minister, the flights had not been initiated. In response, private tourism entrepreneurs have decided to take action and start the international flights.
China Travel International Chengdu in China is collaborating on the initial flights, while the Chinese Overseas Association in Nepal is coordinating the efforts.
The flight on March 18, Tuesday, will land at Pokhara Airport at 10:00 AM with 127 Chinese passengers. On the same day, at 12:00 PM, 127 tourism entrepreneurs will depart for Chengdu, China.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Chief Maniraj Lamichhane, Pokhara Visit Year 2025 Steering Committee Coordinator Gopibahadur Bhattarai, Pokhara Tourism Council President Taranath Pagari, along with the presidents and members of various tourism associations and tourism entrepreneurs, will attend the first commercial charter flight.
The program, lasting seven nights and eight days, will focus on Chengdu, Luzhou, Yimi, Lishan, and Chongqing in Sichuan Province, where participants will learn about the development and expansion of tourism in these areas. The Nepal Tourism Board, in collaboration with the Nepali Consulate General in Chengdu, will organize the Nepal Evening Type Sales Mission event in Chengdu on March 19 and in Chongqing on March 22.
This flight is expected to boost tourism in Pokhara and the entire Gandaki Province. The Chinese Embassy, Sichuan Airlines, and China Travel International Chengdu have informed that efforts are underway to bring around 1,250 Chinese tourists from Sichuan Province, China, directly to Pokhara International Airport over the next three months.
In the initial phase, the plan is to begin with a few commercial charter flights and gradually make transition to regular international flights. The Pokhara Tourism Council and the entire tourism business community are working continuously towards achieving this goal.