Gandaki, Pokhara. Direct flights from Pokhara International Airport to Bhutan’s Paro International Airport have officially commenced from Tuesday. Although Universal Tours and Travel (UTT) had earlier announced four charter flights starting from September 28, the flights could not take place due to various reasons. The operation finally began this week with Bhutan Air’s inaugural service.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, who traveled to Thimphu on the first flight at the invitation of Bhutan Air and UTT, confirmed that the aircraft had arrived empty from Paro and returned carrying nine passengers and crew members. “Despite some technical reasons preventing the originally planned team from traveling, I am hopeful that regular flights will begin soon,” he said.
A pre-scheduled program expected to begin in October had been postponed due to recent political unrest in Nepal. According to Mayor Acharya, Bhutan Airlines has informed that the remaining regular flights are expected to resume from April 2026.
Bhutan Airlines operates a 126-seat aircraft, and Universal Tours and Travels has launched a four-night, five-day travel package in coordination with the charter flights. Tarunath Pahari, President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said the direct connection between Pokhara and Bhutan would significantly boost tourism in both countries.
The Government of Nepal has provided special concessions to encourage international flights from Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports. Under this provision, all international flights from these airports receive full exemptions on parking, landing, and navigation fees, along with a 75% discount on ground handling services provided by Nepal Airlines. Passenger service fees of Rs 3,000 per international ticket have also been waived.
Currently, Bhutan Airlines operates four weekly flights to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Pokhara has previously seen charter flights by Sichuan Airlines and regular operations by Himalaya Airlines, including flights connecting Kathmandu–Lhasa–Pokhara.
Pokhara International Airport, inaugurated on January 1, 2023, was constructed at a cost of around Rs 22 billion. With a 2,500-meter runway and the capacity to serve up to 800,000 passengers annually, the airport is expected to become more vibrant as international connections with Bhutan, China, and other destinations expand.
