The new international airport in Pokhara now has a scheduled passenger flight. Himalaya Airlines flew from Lhasa to Pokhara on Monday. The flight was slightly delayed due to strong winds. The Airbus A319 carried 107 passengers and received a water cannon welcome. This was the first scheduled flight since the airport’s opening on January 1, 2023. The flight takes around 90 minutes.
To attract airlines, the airport will give two-year savings on landing, parking, and passenger fees. However, high gasoline prices make operations costly. Himalaya Airlines began with a single weekly service and may add more. The airline also intends to bring one million Chinese tourists annually. Tourism groups in Pokhara are advertising the airport. Sichuan Airlines also provides charter flights from China. Pokhara International Airport was established with a Chinese loan, although it continues to experience obstacles, such as limited airline routes.