Photo: File / bhutanairlines.bt
POKHARA, NEPAL: Direct flights between Pokhara International Airport and Bhutan officially commenced on Tuesday, marking a long-awaited milestone after earlier postponements by Universal Tours and Travels (UTT), which had initially scheduled charter operations from September 28.
According to Pokhara Metropolitan City Chief Dhanraj Acharya, Bhutan Airlines’ inaugural Pokhara–Paro service successfully operated with nine passengers and crew landing safely in Bhutan, after the aircraft arrived empty for the first leg. “Although today’s pre-planned team trip could not happen due to technical reasons, I expect regular flights to commence soon. Bhutan Airlines and UTT are committed to ensuring regular operations shortly,” he said.
The earlier flight dates—September 28, and October 2, 6 and 10—had been canceled due to various operational and national circumstances, including unrest in Nepal. The airline has now announced that scheduled regular services will begin from April 2026. UTT has also prepared a four-night, five-day travel package to support the route, while Bhutan Airlines plans to operate the sector with its 126-seat aircraft.
Pokhara Tourism Council Chair Taranath Pahari said the direct link between Pokhara and Bhutan will help strengthen tourism flow in both countries.
To encourage international connectivity from Pokhara and Bhairahawa, the government has offered substantial incentives: waiver of parking, landing and navigation fees since August 12, 2024, and exemption from passenger service charges except for a 25% ground-handling fee from Nepal Airlines.
Currently, Bhutan Airlines operates four weekly flights to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Pokhara is gradually building international links with Sichuan Airlines’ charter from Chengdu in June, Himalayan Airlines’ Pokhara–Lhasa service, and plans by Sichuan Airlines to connect Pokhara–Sichuan–Australia.
With new entrants and expanding networks, Pokhara International Airport — inaugurated on January 1, 2023, spread across 3,900 ropanis with a 2,500-meter runway and annual capacity of 800,000 passengers — is expected to grow as a regional international hub.
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