More than two years since its inauguration, Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) shows signs of coming back to life. An Airbus-319 series plane from Lhasa landed at Pokhara airport at 12:45 pm on Monday. The same plane, after staying overnight in Pokhara, will depart for Lhasa at 8:20 am on Tuesday (April 1). That marks the beginning of regular weekly flights between Pokhara and Lhasa. The airline is optimistic that the flight connecting Pokhara and Lhasa will strengthen Nepal-China relations and promote tourism and trade. Himalaya Airlines has gone down in Nepal's aviation history as the first airline to operate a scheduled flight on the Pokhara-Lhasa-Pokhara route. Sichuan Airlines has been conducting weekly commercial chartered flights from Chengdu to Pokhara. Since coming into operation 27 months ago, PRIA has hosted only 13 international chartered flights – 7 in 2023; 4 in 2024; and 2 so far in 2025. Concerns have been raised about PRIA's viability. The initiation of regular international flights – even if limited to one per week – is an important step in the right direction. For the Airlines, it's a Himalayan beginning.
The Airlines sees itself spreading its wings to ten destinations across China and has set an ambitious goal of bringing one million Chinese tourists to Nepal. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal is low. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, only 8,283 Chinese tourists entered Nepal in February this year. Around 61,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in the year 2023 with the numbers rising to 101, 879 in 2024. A regular scheduled weekly flight between Lhasa and Pokhara could be a game changer as Pokhara is Nepal's most visited tourist destination after Kathmandu. It will certainly help promote PRIA as a viable alternative destination for other airline operators. The Tribhuvan International Airport, which serves as the backbone of Nepal’s tourism industry, has long been congested. A single route alone is never enough to transform PRIA into an international gateway. Both the private sector and the state must work in tandem to promote and market Pokhara in China and internationally. Beyond marketing, operational challenges at PRIA must also be addressed. The airport must ensure that it provides world-class facilities and services, including efficient customs and immigration processing and reliable transportation links to the tourist sites. For PRIA to be able to attract other international airlines, it must improve the quality of service that international airports provide. It must be remembered that competition in global tourism is fierce. Nepal must aggressively roll out targeted campaigns to promote Pokhara internationally. The government has a key role to play as well. The Tourism Ministry, particularly the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Tourism Board of Nepal, must go all-out in encouraging other international airlines to operate from Pokhara. International flights not only bring in tourists but also help create more employment opportunities, enhancing direct connectivity and boosting business by linking Pokhara with other potential markets. It will require continuous and well-continued efforts from all stakeholders.
Pokhara International Airport: First flight on Pokhara-Varanasi...
The initiation of flights is not a panacea but it certainly is a first step. The Airlines has stated its desire to connect to ten different tourist destinations in China is a positive sign for the future of the airport. The planned flight from Kathmandu, with its overnight stay in Pokhara, is a commendable strategy to help promote the city. However, the focus should not only be about attracting numbers, but also about ensuring sustainable and responsible tourism. Pokhara must prioritize preserving its natural environment and cultural authenticity. Then only can tourist arrivals contribute to creating job opportunities. Sustained investment in airport infrastructure and operational efficiency will be vital.