Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: In a significant and symbolic milestone for Nepal’s aviation sector, the Pokhara International Airport has recorded its first-ever direct flight to India, a development airport officials see as a positive breakthrough for future regional connectivity.
The historic flight took place as a medical charter operation, carrying an Indian national directly from Pokhara to Bhopal, India, after he fell seriously ill during a pilgrimage to Muktinath.
The patient, Gopal Shambhu Dayal Srivastava, a resident of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, had reportedly developed heart and lung complications while returning from the sacred Muktinath pilgrimage on Sunday. He was subsequently admitted to Charak Memorial Hospital in Pokhara for treatment.
According to hospital officials, a medical team led by doctors, including Dr. Raj Basnet and Saroj Aryal, accompanied the patient aboard a chartered aircraft operated by Shree Airlines, which departed Pokhara at 3:09 PM for Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal.
The charter flight was reportedly coordinated with support from India’s Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with the patient’s family. Officials said the high-level coordination helped secure permission for the direct evacuation flight.
According to airport chief Jagannath Niraula, this marks the first direct flight from Pokhara to India since the airport began operations.
Opened on January 1, 2023 (17 Poush 2079 BS), Pokhara International Airport had previously handled charter flights to countries including China and Bhutan, but a direct India-bound flight had remained elusive despite years of diplomatic discussions.
Airport officials described the development as an important and encouraging signal, even though the flight occurred under emergency medical circumstances.
“Even though this was a medical evacuation, the door to flights toward India has now opened,” officials said, expressing hope that the milestone could support future coordination and potentially pave the way for broader aviation connectivity.
The first India-bound departure has revived optimism surrounding Pokhara International Airport, which was built with expectations of becoming a major tourism and regional aviation hub.
For years, stakeholders in Pokhara had hoped for regular international connectivity, especially with India, given the city’s tourism appeal and religious travel routes such as Muktinath.
While regular international operations have yet to materialize, aviation officials believe this successful charter operation demonstrates the airport’s operational readiness and could help build confidence for future cross-border flights.
The milestone is also expected to boost hopes for stronger tourism, pilgrimage travel, medical transport services, and broader economic opportunities linked to Nepal’s growing aviation infrastructure.
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