POKHARA, Nov 28: Nearly two years after becoming operational, the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) is set to host its first regular international flight. Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture, has initiated preparations to operate flights between Pokhara and Lhasa, China. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) announced that these flights are expected to commence in the first week of January, 2025.
Although a tentative schedule has been prepared, the exact flight date is yet to be confirmed. According to CAAN Joint Spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul, Himalaya Airlines has already submitted its schedule for the Pokhara-Lhasa route. “After almost two years, PRIA is finally preparing for international flights. Regular flights on this route could significantly boost the inflow of Chinese tourists to Pokhara,” he said.
Himalaya Airlines plans to start flights on the route using a 144-seat Airbus A-319. “We are fully prepared on our end. The flights will begin as soon as the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) grants permission,” Bhul said. He said that there are no pending issues from Nepal’s side.
According to the schedule, the airline will operate a Kathmandu-Lhasa-Pokhara flight every Monday, spending the night in Pokhara before flying Pokhara-Lhasa-Kathmandu on Tuesday. While Himalaya previously had the permission to operate Kathmandu-Lhasa flights three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), the frequency was reduced due to low passenger numbers, resulting in irregular operations. However, with the new schedule approved, flights will now resume consistently. Additionally, Himalaya has received approval for Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu flights on Wednesdays and Fridays.
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The decision to promote international flights from Pokhara and Bhairahawa came after the operational hours at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) were reduced for maintenance. CAAN had requested Himalaya and Nepal Airlines to shift some operations to these airports. This coincides with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China, scheduled for December 2, giving momentum to plans to establish direct air connectivity between Pokhara and China, according to Bhul.
Since this is a “scheduled flight” under the bilateral air services agreement, CAAC must finalize the flight dates.“This connection between Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Pokhara has great potential to attract Chinese tourists. While only one weekly flight is planned for now, the frequency can be increased based on demand. With proper marketing, these flights could become regular, benefiting the Pokhara region,” Bhul said.
Himalaya’s Pokhara-Lhasa flights will mark the start of regular international commercial operations at the PRIA. Nearly two years since its opening, the airport is yet to host regular international flights, with operations largely limited to domestic flights.
To date, only nine international flights have taken place at PRIA. Three weeks ago, a Sichuan Airlines plane arrived carrying participants of the Third Pokhara International Cross-Country Race and guests from Kunming.
The airport became operational on January 1, 2023. However, only seven international flights were conducted throughout the year. The inaugural flight was a demonstration by Himalaya Airlines on the airport’s opening day, followed by Sichuan Airlines’ first flight on January 21, 2023. On September 9, a Druk Air flight from Bhutan’s Paro International Airport landed in Pokhara.
On November 8, 2023, two Chinese cargo planes carrying earthquake relief supplies for victims in Jajarkot and Rukum landed at the airport. Besides these, Himalaya Airlines conducted three additional flights. In total, seven international flights were recorded at PRIA in 2023.
