flydubai has announced a new daily service to Pokhara International Airport, its second destination in Nepal. Dubai is to get a direct flight of the most scenic cities of Asia. The direct flights between the Dubai International Airport and Pokhara airport will begin with flydubai on 23rd September 2026 from Terminal 3 at DXB. flydubai is the first carrier to offer direct daily flights from the UAE to this important route. flydubai today announced the commencement of its flights to Pokhara, the second largest city and tourism hub of Nepal. The flydubai Pokhara route also acts as an intermediary service for a codeshare partnership with Emirates, connecting Pokhara with flydubai’s wider network.
flydubai’s Nepal Story So Far
This is the continuation of a long-term effort by flydubai to provide air connectivity to Nepal. It further reinforces the commitment to the country after 17 years of successful operations to Kathmandu. It is one of the oldest routes of the airline that launched in Kathmandu in 2009. flydubai-Nepal route started operations in 1999.
Until now, Kathmandu is the only destination for flydubai. It has a fleet of 86 Boeing 737 aircraft. The fleet includes the Boeing 737-800 and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 family.
Depending on configuration, flydubai’s Boeing 737-800 can seat up to 189 passengers. The 737 MAX is reported to be able to seat between 166 and 186 passengers, depending on the cabin layout. Currently Emirates cannot operate to Nepal. The only UAE based airline that flies to Nepal is flydubai.
Traveling With flydubai Pokhara Route
Pokhara isn’t Kathmandu. It is situated in the western part of Nepal at the entrance of Annapurna holy mountain circuit among world’s most popular trekking routes. It is the base for adventure tourism in Nepal. The destination attracts nature travellers to the country who were forced to travel overland or by domestic connection.
Both those steps are eliminated when a direct flight from Dubai is used. The route also offers hassle-free connectivity to more than 300 destinations worldwide from the Dubai hub of flydubai, allowing flyers from all over the flydubai network to also fly to western Nepal without having to go through Kathmandu.
flydubai Pokhara Route: Three Years Journey
With a funding of approximately NPR 22 billion (USD 165 million), Pokhara International Airport was opened in the city in January 2023. It was constructed as the third international airport in Nepal, but initially primarily operated domestic flights. International services were limited. A brief Pokhara-Lhasa route operated in 2025 before being discontinued.
With the first regular international service, flydubai is committed to daily flights. flydubai Vice President of Risk Management, Adrian Lucas, conducted a comprehensive inspection on-site of the airport’s runway, security systems, and technical systems. After having a discussion with Airport General Manager Jagannath Niraula for six hours, he announced the airport’s readiness for international operations.
Niraula confirmed the approval of the flight schedule for flydubai by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the development is a historic opportunity for the promotion of Pokhara’s international identity, tourism and the dispersal of air traffic that Kathmandu traditionally dominates.
What Does It Mean for UAE Residents?
Nepal is home to a significant and established diaspora community across the UAE. Nepali workers form one of the most visible segments of the UAE’s labour force. The majority currently connects home via Kathmandu.
The western Nepal provinces, such as Gandaki and Lumbini, get a more direct path through the flydubai Pokhara route. The route is open to travellers in the UAE, who are looking for Himalayan trekking or cultural tourism.
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