DHANGADHI, March 3: Private sector airline Buddha Air has started direct flights in the Pokhara-Dhangadhi-Pokhara sector.

At the Dhangadhi Airport, officials of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) Farwest welcomed the 18 passengers of the first Buddha Air flight from Pokhara to Dhangadhi and bade farewell to the passengers from Dhangadhi to Pokhara.

Budharam Majhi, station chief of Buddha Air in Dhangadhi, said that with the launch of direct air service from Pokhara to Dhangadhi, people in the far west will no longer have to travel to Pokhara via Kathmandu.

"We have started providing air services in the Pokhara-Dhangadhi-Pokhara sector three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays," said Majhi. "We believe this will help in the promotion of tourism." He said that the number of domestic and foreign tourists is expected to increase.

Secretary General of NATTA Farwest, Padam Bikram Singh said that Buddha Air has agreed to operate direct air service between Pokhara and Dhangadhi targeting Indians as well as domestic tourists who want to visit Muktinath and Pokhara.

"Until now, we could only make a package for tourists from Kathmandu. With the launch of direct air service, we will now be able to make a package for tourists in Pokhara as well," he said.

NATTA Farwest had been urging the airline to start direct flights from Pokhara to Dhangadhi for the past few years. Private airlines including Buddha Air have been operating daily flights to/from Dhangadhi Airport to/ from Kathmandu.

 
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