Nearly two years after its inauguration, Pokhara Regional International Airport is set to operate regular international flights for the first time. Himalaya Airlines, a privately-owned carrier operating international flights from Nepal, has submitted a proposal to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to operate four flights a week connecting Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

According to CAAN spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul, Himalaya Airlines has formally submitted its flight schedule and timings to operate this route. While there have been chartered flights from Pokhara International Airport, no airline has yet initiated regular international flights from this airport.

As per the proposal, Himalaya Airlines plans to operate Kathmandu–Lhasa and Lhasa–Pokhara flights on Mondays; Pokhara–Lhasa and Lhasa–Kathmandu flights on Tuesdays; Kathmandu–Lhasa and Lhasa–Kathmandu flights on Wednesdays and Kathmandu–Lhasa and Lhasa–Kathmandu flights on Fridays.

CAAN has yet to grant approval for these flights, but Bhul confirmed that the process is underway.

"We are in the approval phase. Once the relevant authorities in Lhasa provide the necessary clearance, CAAN will authorise the airline to operate flights to this destination," he stated.

Himalaya Airlines, a joint venture established in 2014 with investments from Nepal and China, is pursuing direct flights to Lhasa after years of operation. The airline is co-owned by Tibet Civil Aviation Development and Investment Company Limited (TCADIC) and Nepal’s Yeti World Investment Pvt. Ltd.

The Government of Nepal has announced several incentives to attract international flights to Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. These measures coincide with the planned 10-hour daily closure of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) from mid-November to March for upgrades, resulting in a 30% reduction in international flights from Kathmandu. To compensate, CAAN has requested airlines to operate 20% of international flights from Gautam Buddha International Airport and 10% from Pokhara Regional International Airport.

Recognising potential initial losses from operations in Bhairahawa and Pokhara, CAAN has introduced a two-year incentive package. This includes waivers on landing and parking fees, a Rs 100 per kilolitre discount on aviation fuel for outbound flights, and exemptions on passenger-paid Value Added Tax (VAT) for international flights (subject to final approval from the Ministry of Finance).

While nearly half a dozen airlines have commenced operations from Gautam Buddha International Airport, Pokhara is yet to witness regular international flights. Himalaya Airlines is now working to launch regular international flights from this Chinese-funded airport.