Kathmandu: The government has approved a package of financial incentives aimed at attracting international airlines to Pokhara International Airport, a move expected to accelerate the launch of regular overseas flights from the country's second international gateway. The decision comes as authorities seek to improve the commercial viability of the airport, which has remained largely limited to domestic operations despite opening nearly three years ago.
At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the government decided to waive landing, parking and air navigation charges in full for international airlines operating from Pokhara International Airport until mid-September 2028 (end of Bhadra 2085 BS). Airlines will also receive a 50 percent discount on ground handling charges, reducing the operating costs of launching new international services.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya welcomed the decision, saying the incentives would help expand international connectivity from the city and encourage additional foreign carriers to begin operations. He said stronger air links would support tourism, improve accessibility and stimulate broader economic activity in the Pokhara region.
The policy comes ahead of Flydubai's scheduled launch of direct Pokhara–Dubai flights on September 23, 2026 (Asoj 7, 2083 BS). Airport officials said the airline has already received approval for its flight schedule and opened ticket bookings. The new route is expected to provide travellers from Pokhara with direct access to Dubai, one of the world's largest aviation hubs, offering convenient onward connections to Europe, North America and numerous destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The service is also expected to benefit Nepali migrant workers, students and tourists who currently rely on Kathmandu for most international departures. For the tourism industry, direct international access could allow foreign visitors to reach Pokhara and nearby destinations without making an additional domestic flight, improving the city's competitiveness as one of Nepal's leading tourist destinations.
The government's decision also reflects an effort to address one of the biggest challenges facing Pokhara International Airport since its inauguration. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 22 billion, the airport has struggled to attract scheduled international carriers, with only a limited number of charter flights operating to neighbouring countries. The absence of regular international services has raised concerns over the utilisation of the airport and its long-term financial sustainability.
The latest incentive package represents a shift from infrastructure development toward market stimulation. By lowering operational costs for airlines, the government is attempting to reduce commercial risk during the initial years of service. If Flydubai's operations prove commercially successful, the incentives could encourage other international carriers to consider Pokhara as a viable destination, helping transform the airport into a functional regional gateway rather than a predominantly domestic facility.
The initiative also aligns with the government's broader aviation policy of expanding Nepal's international air connectivity beyond Kathmandu. Sustained international operations at Pokhara would not only diversify the country's aviation network but could also strengthen tourism, generate local employment and improve the economic return on one of Nepal's largest recent infrastructure investments.
