The number of daily flights between Pokhara and Jomsom has dropped significantly—by nearly two-thirds—after improvements to the Beni–Jomsom–Korla road made road travel to Mustang easier and more affordable.
Once one of Nepal’s busiest air routes during the tourist season, Pokhara–Jomsom flights now operate at a fraction of previous levels. According to the Jomsom Civil Aviation Office, only 5–6 flights are currently operating daily, down from as many as 18 before the road upgrade. Officials say the number of passengers has dropped sharply, especially with more tourists choosing to travel by road instead of air.
“Before the road was blacktopped, over 300 tourists flew from Pokhara to Jomsom daily. That number has now dropped to less than half,” said Keshav Lamsal, head of the Jomsom Civil Aviation Office. “The improved road conditions have made travel faster and cheaper, especially for domestic tourists.”
The Beni–Jomsom–Korla road, a national pride project, has been largely blacktopped from Beni in Myagdi to Muktinath in Mustang. With travel easier, many tourists—including those who previously flew to Jomsom and returned by air—now opt to make the entire journey by road.
“Spring is the best time to visit Mustang, but now, most air-bound tourists are traveling by road instead,” said Sujan Lalchan, manager of Tara Airlines in Jomsom. “A year ago, we struggled to meet demand and often had to turn away Nepali tourists and locals due to full flights. Now, planes are leaving Jomsom nearly empty.”
Summit Airlines’ Jomsom manager, Suman Thakali, added that foreign tourists—especially Indian pilgrims visiting Muktinath—usually buy two-way tickets, while others fly in one direction and travel by road the other way. “Because of this, we often have to fly empty aircraft back to Pokhara,” he said. “Even locals and employees now prefer road travel.”
In addition to improved road infrastructure, safety concerns have also contributed to the decline in air travel on this route. A series of accidents in recent years prompted the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to introduce stricter safety protocols and flight regulations. As a result, flight cancellations have become more common.
“When flights are canceled, travel agencies now immediately send tourists by road instead of waiting,” said Thakali. “Road travel saves half the airfare and is more reliable, so it benefits travel companies financially.”
The affordability and availability of vehicles have led to a noticeable increase in road travel, not only for tourists but also for locals, workers, and government employees. This shift marks a major change from earlier years, when the Pokhara–Jomsom air route was the only practical option for many.
According to the Jomsom Civil Aviation Office, about 80 percent of current air passengers are Indian tourists, while the remaining 20 percent are from other countries. Domestic tourists now make up a very small portion of air travelers.
Previously, demand for air tickets was so high that Nepali tourists struggled to get seats. Airlines prioritized foreign tourists, who paid up to three times more than domestic passengers. In many cases, Nepali travelers could only secure tickets in emergencies or with a medical recommendation.
“Those days are over,” said Lamsal. “With the road in good condition, travel to Mustang is no longer dependent on air service.” -- RSS
