Nepal and China have agreed to make air rights arrangements for regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport (PIA).
In the joint statement released following the bilateral meetings between the prime ministers of the two countries, the two sides have expressed satisfaction over the completion and operation of Pokhara International Airport.
Currently, only domestic flights are taking place from Pokhara International Airport, which was built with China’s financial assistance.
The two sides agreed to facilitate airlines to resume and open more flights in the future.
" The two sides agreed to support and encourage their airlines to resume and open more flights and air routes, including ones connecting Pokhara, in accordance with bilateral air rights arrangements and in light of market needs, so as to facilitate trade and economic interactions and people-to-people exchanges,” reads the joint statement.
Sichuan Airlines of China had conducted a first international flight to Pokhara International Airport from Chendu.
Chinese tourists had arrived in Pokhara on a Chinese chartered flight of Sichuan Airlines during the Dragon Boat Festival held in the third week of June. Likewise, Bhutan's Drukair had a direct chartered flight in the second week of June.
Buddha Air has asked for permission to fly directly from Pokhara to India, but it has not been granted yet.
Although it has been 10 months since the opening of the airport, regular international flights have not been made from Pokhara Airport.
