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flydubai outlined the launch of its new daily direct flights between Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 and Pokhara International Airport in an announcement distributed across its social channels. The service which began on September 23 2026 uses the carrier’s Boeing 737 aircraft and marks the first scheduled international connection for the Nepali destination. This addition expands flydubai’s network in Nepal where the airline has maintained operations to Kathmandu for more than a decade according to company records.
The carrier’s announcement stated that it is expanding its presence in Nepal with the start of the new daily service to Pokhara International Airport. Pokhara serves as Nepal’s tourism capital a status affirmed in government declarations that have focused on infrastructure upgrades at the airport to accommodate international traffic. According to compiled tourism data Nepal recorded 1147567 international visitors in 2024 a 13.1 percent increase that has placed added pressure on connectivity to secondary hubs such as Pokhara.
Daily operations on the route provide consistent scheduling for travelers from the UAE and connecting points across flydubai’s network of more than 125 destinations. The flights support both leisure visitors drawn to the area’s lakes and mountain views and business passengers seeking improved access to western Nepal. Industry assessments have linked such direct services to higher hotel occupancy rates in Pokhara which reached 90 percent during recent peak periods.
Earlier details from the carrier listed return Business Class fares starting at AED 5000 with Economy Lite options positioned at lower entry points. A concurrent promotion offers Emirates Skywards members double miles on the Dubai-Pokhara route for a limited time. The launch aligns with broader growth in Nepal’s visitor arrivals that have included rising numbers from markets beyond traditional European and Asian sources.
Nepal tourism figures show that Pokhara accounts for a large share of the country’s trekking and adventure visitors who often begin journeys in the city. The new air link from Dubai is positioned to tap into growing interest from Gulf travelers according to regional connectivity reports. flydubai’s fleet plans include 11 additional aircraft deliveries in 2026 that will underpin further route expansions.
The service operates alongside the carrier’s existing Kathmandu flights allowing for potential onward connections within Nepal. Tourism operators in Pokhara have reported that international arrivals contribute significantly to local economies alongside domestic visitors who make up at least 40 percent of totals in slower periods. The development forms part of flydubai’s strategy to link underserved destinations with its Dubai hub.
