Impending Pokhara-Bhadrapur direct flight enthuses tourism entrepreneurs

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara are excited for better and brighter business prospects as the private sector’s Buddha Air is going to operate direct flight service between Pokhara and Bhadrapur from coming March 9.

“The air connectivity between the eastern part of the country to the western part is going to provide easy services to the passengers and the Buddha Air is committed towards providing easy and convenient services,” said Gautam Baral, station manager of the Buddha Air. Pokhara International Airport will see flight taking off for Bhadrapur in Jhapa district at 6:15 am while Bhadrapur to Pokhara flight is scheduled at 6:55 pm. The direct flight between these two destinations, to be covered in 1 hour 10 minutes, is expected to ease off the passengers facing problems in lack of direct flights as well as contribute in promotion domestic tourism.

Pokhara Tourism Council Chairperson Pom Narayan Shrestha expressed his confidence that the operation of Pokhara International Airport and increasing air connectivity with other districts would aid in promotion of domestic tourism. “Pokhara is a tourism city. Those willing to visit Pokhara from the eastern part of the country would be facilitated by the direct flight service of the Buddha Air besides attracting Indian tourists to Pokhara,” he said. He, however, grieved over no international flight operating from the Pokhara International Airport yet although the Airport has been inaugurated.

Pokhara Tourism Board Chief Kashiraj Bhandari was hopeful that the tourists’ arrival would be bolstered in Pokhara with the increasing air connectivity as, he argued, that tourists are interested in short and comfortable excursions. Bhandari said that the direct flight between Pokhara and Bhadrapur would facilitate in marketing and sales of the local produces in Pokhara. The ticket for Bhadrapur-Pokhara and vice-versa is priced at Rs 9,685. The air connectivity is going to reduce the travel time between these two destinations on road 17 hours.