Pokhara International Airport was built with $215.96 million from Beijing and opened on January 1, 2023. However, it has not seen regular commercial flights. Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara are taking steps to change this. The Pokhara Tourism Council partnered with Sichuan Airlines to launch charter flights between Chengdu, China, and Pokhara. The first flight arrived on Tuesday with 128 Chinese passengers and returned with 126 Nepalis.
Sichuan Airlines has agreed to operate 10 flights in 10 weeks, bringing 1,250 Chinese tourists. Each flight costs Rs 7.8 million, covered by Nepali businesses. Nepali tourism leaders are now in China to promote Pokhara as a travel destination. Himalaya Airlines will also start a Kathmandu-Lhasa flight from Pokhara on March 31. Officials hope these flights will lead to regular international air services.