Nepalgunj-Pokhara Flights to Resume September 16

Regular flights connecting Nepalgunj and Pokhara are set to resume on September 16, following a suspension of several months. Buddha Air will reintroduce the service, operating three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, in response to growing passenger demand.

The route, which provides a direct air link between Pokhara and India's Uttar Pradesh, was halted on May 19 due to a decrease in religious tourists from India and high fuel costs. However, an increase in religious tourism has recently spurred renewed demand for the flight.

"Demand for the flight has increased, so we have decided to resume the service," said Binit Bikram Shah, Buddha Air's Nepalgunj chief. Bookings for the flights have already opened, signaling a positive outlook for the route's revival.

The resumption of flights is anticipated to significantly benefit tourism in western Nepal. Krishna Prasad Shrestha, chairperson of the Tourism Promotion Forum Banke, noted that the direct connection will not only aid local tourism but also enhance the experience for Indian visitors traveling to Pokhara. Furthermore, the service will simplify travel to key religious sites like Bagheswori Temple in Nepalgunj and Ayodhya in India, as well as popular destinations like Pokhara and Mustang for residents of Banke, Bardiya, Dang, and Surkhet.

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Demand for the flight has increased, so we have decided to resume the service.