Chinese airline Sichuan Airlines has initiated regular charter flights from Pokhara International Airport, with the first flight on Tuesday (March 18).
This development established a weekly air service between Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, and Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city and a renowned tourist destination.
Although promotional charter flights operated in Pokhara previously, regular services remained unfeasible until now. Sichuan Airlines has bridged this gap, commencing weekly charter flights every Tuesday. The inaugural flight marked a significant milestone for Pokhara International Airport, which began operations in January 2023.
According to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, 1,228 passengers have disembarked from flights in Pokhara, though this figure likely reflects a cumulative total rather than a single flight, given typical aircraft capacities.
Meanwhile, approximately 120 passengers departed from Pokhara on the return leg of the inaugural service.
Wang Xin, a counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, emphasized the importance of this air link during a press conference in Pokhara. He noted that the route strengthens connectivity between China and Nepal, fostering personnel exchanges and cooperation across various sectors.
This initiative gains added significance as 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Supported by Sichuan Province, Sichuan Airlines has spearheaded this effort to enhance ties between Chengdu and Pokhara. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) hailed the move as a boost to air connectivity, tourism, cultural exchange, and business collaboration between Nepal and China.
As part of the launch, a Nepali delegation traveled on the inaugural flight from Chengdu to Pokhara under the ‘Pokhara-Chengdu Flight Promotion and China (Sichuan) Sales Mission 2025.’ The delegation engaged in business meetings with government and private sector representatives in Chinese cities, including Chengdu, Luzhou, and Leshan, to bolster tourism cooperation.
The NTB expressed appreciation to Sichuan Airlines, the Sichuan Provincial Government, the Pokhara Tourism Council, and all contributors for their roles in this historic achievement. The Board underscored that this air link not only promotes Nepal as a premier tourist destination but also deepens cultural ties, reinforcing Nepal’s standing in international tourism.
