#news #aviation #tourism
The Pokhara International Airport is set to have its first commercial chartered flight to Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China on Tuesday. This marks a significant milestone for the Pokhara community, as efforts from both the local residents and public-private sectors have finally led to the operation of regular international flights from the airport after two years. The inaugural flight will carry 126 passengers to Chengdu on a Sichuan Airlines aircraft.
The Pokhara Tourism Council’s General Secretary, Jeevanraj Sapkota, expressed that the initiation of chartered flights by Sichuan Airlines is a step towards the goal of operating regular flights between Pokhara and Chengdu. He mentioned that after the three chartered flights, the airline is planning to introduce a schedule for regular flights.
For the chartered flights, Sichuan Airlines has fixed a fare of NPR 62,000 and plans to combine the chartered flights with regular flights after the initial three trips. Sapkota emphasized the importance of the Pokhara-Chengdu route in the tourism development of the region.
Ramesh Khatri from Kansai Nepal News shared his perspective on the news, stating that the commencement of commercial chartered flights from Pokhara to Chengdu signifies a positive development for tourism in the region. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in making this milestone possible.
The upcoming program is expected to attract approximately 1,250 Chinese tourists directly to the Pokhara International Airport from Sichuan Province over the next three months. This initiative is seen as a significant boost for tourism in Pokhara and the entire Gandaki Province.
The first commercial chartered flight from Pokhara will involve a seven to eight-day program focusing on tourism development in Chengdu, Lijiang, Emei, Leshan, and Chongqing. Additionally, the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepali Consulate in Chengdu will organize a Nepal Evening and Sales Mission from March 19 to 22, aiming to promote tourism development in Pokhara and Nepal as a whole.
Furthermore, the Pokhara Tourism Year 2025 is expected to receive substantial support from the successful operation of the first commercial chartered flight from the Pokhara International Airport. Dhanraj Acharya, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, expressed his commitment to ensuring the success of the Pokhara Tourism Year 2025 alongside the overall tourism development of Pokhara.
The collaboration with Sichuan Province in China and the visit to Lijiang City are anticipated to enhance mutual relations between the two cities. The tourism industry in Pokhara is well-prepared to cater to Chinese tourists with various activities like boating, hiking, paragliding, and more. The reopening of hotels and restaurants post-COVID-19 has further boosted the city’s tourism infrastructure.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: March 18, 2025 3:01 am
