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Pokhara, Nepal: Scheduled air services between Pokhara and Jomsom have officially resumed after a suspension of more than three months, restoring a vital mountain air link just as the spring trekking season begins in Nepal’s Mustang region.
The resumption follows the gradual improvement of weather conditions across the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, where winter fog, snowfall, and low visibility typically force seasonal disruptions to flight operations. With clearer skies and stabilizing atmospheric conditions, authorities allowed the reopening of one of Nepal’s most weather sensitive domestic routes.
On the first day of operations, Summit Air conducted three flights to Jomsom. Two flights originated from Kathmandu while one departed from Pokhara International Airport. According to officials at the Civil Aviation Office in Jomsom, the flights carried a total of 29 passengers, including 28 foreign nationals, highlighting strong demand from international tourists heading toward the Mustang region.
Aircraft operating on the sector are equipped for Short Take Off and Landing operations, a requirement for navigating the challenging terrain of the Kali Gandaki gorge. The route is widely considered one of the most demanding flight corridors in the world due to narrow valleys, rapidly changing weather patterns, and strong afternoon winds.
During the winter closure, travelers relied primarily on the Beni–Jomsom road corridor, a rugged route known for difficult terrain and landslide risks. Helicopter charters and occasional special flights were also used by pilgrims and high end travelers visiting destinations such as Muktinath Temple and Damodar Kunda.
Tourism entrepreneurs and local businesses in Mustang have welcomed the return of scheduled flights, which are viewed as essential for sustaining the regional economy. Hotels, trekking operators, guides, and supply chains in the district rely heavily on the steady flow of visitors arriving through Jomsom Airport.
Flight operations on the Pokhara–Jomsom route remain strictly weather dependent and are typically limited to morning hours, often concluding before 11 am due to strong valley winds that develop later in the day.
Aviation officials say regular operations will continue as long as weather conditions remain favorable, with the possibility of additional domestic airlines joining the sector as tourism demand grows in the coming months.
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