Pokhara International Airport sees only 42 international flights in 2.5 years

Pokhara Regional International Airport (PIA), built with an investment of Rs. 22 billion, is struggling to attract international flights even after more than two and a half years of operation.

Since its inauguration on January 1, 2023, the airport has seen only 42 international flights. Most of these were chartered services, with only Himalayan Airlines attempting a regular weekly route. For a project that was supposed to boost tourism in Gandaki Province and make Pokhara a direct gateway for foreign travelers, the numbers are disappointing.

Flight and passenger record so far

According to airport records, only 13 international chartered flights have taken place: seven in 2023, four in 2024, and two in 2025. Himalayan Airlines has completed 21 flights so far, while Sichuan Airlines has operated 11, with other carriers accounting for 10.

In total, just 2,910 passengers have flown internationally through Pokhara airport since it opened. Sichuan Airlines alone carried 1,127 inbound tourists and 797 outbound passengers. Its commercial charter service between Pokhara and Chengdu has moved 1,924 passengers.

The airport spokesperson, Jasoda Subedi, confirmed that another airline is preparing to start services in September. “Himalayan has been operating weekly flights to Lhasa for two months, while Sichuan has already informed us that it will begin regular flights from September,” she said.

Limited impact on tourism

The first-ever commercial international service from Pokhara happened eight months after the airport’s launch, when a Druk Air flight arrived with just three passengers but departed with 42. While the international side has been weak, domestic air traffic has increased. Passenger numbers rose to 905,000 in 2023 and crossed 1 million in 2024.

The airport is now fully equipped with a fuel depot and an immigration office. The Nepal Oil Corporation spent Rs. 750 million to build three storage tanks with a capacity of 1,200 kilolitres, while the immigration office is staffed and ready for international travelers.

Calls for stronger strategy

Business leaders and tourism stakeholders argue that Pokhara cannot afford to let such a massive investment go underused. Former FNCCI president Ananda Raj Mulmi said the focus should be on opening new routes and ensuring consistent flights.

“Pokhara should establish routes like Pokhara–Kunming–Hong Kong and Pokhara–Chengdu. Strong commitment is essential. This airport must not go to waste,” Mulmi said.

What’s next?

For now, Pokhara International Airport remains active mainly in domestic flights. Tourism experts say that unless the government, airlines, and local stakeholders push for more international routes, the Rs. 22 billion projects will continue to fall short of its promise to make Pokhara a global tourist hub.