Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA), inaugurated over two years ago, is set to operate its first scheduled international flights. Himalaya Airlines will launch weekly flights between Pokhara and Lhasa, China, starting Tuesday, April 1.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) confirmed that PRIA would begin regular international operations 27 months after its opening. Spokesperson Yasodha Subedi shared that the Airbus-319 of Himalaya Airlines will arrive from Lhasa at 12:45 PM on Monday and depart for Lhasa at 8:20 AM the following day.
Although PRIA has conducted 13 international charter flights since its inauguration—seven in 2023, four in 2024, and two in 2025—Himalaya Airlines will be the first airline to operate scheduled flights on the Pokhara-Lhasa route. Sichuan Airlines, which currently operates chartered flights between Chengdu and Pokhara, is also scheduled to land at Pokhara on April 1.
Himalaya Airlines aims to expand flights based on demand and has plans to connect Pokhara with ten major tourist destinations in China, welcoming up to 1 million Chinese tourists to Nepal. The airline believes this route will strengthen Nepal-China relations and boost tourism and trade.
Former President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, Pom Narayan Shrestha, described the initiation of scheduled flights as a significant development for the tourism sector. He noted that regular flights could encourage other airlines to add routes to Pokhara, contributing to the city’s appeal as a tourist destination.
Efforts are underway to market Pokhara as a hub for Chinese tourists, and the tourism sector is optimistic about the positive impact of regular international flights. In February 2025 alone, 8,283 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, with annual numbers expected to grow significantly.