POKHARA, March 17: Ongoing tensions in Middle Eastern countries have prevented several international pilots from participating in an upcoming paragliding competition in Pokhara. A total of 15 pilots from different countries who had registered for the event scheduled in the skies of Sarangkot have been unable to travel, organizers said.
They added that many other pilots who had expressed interest in joining the competition also canceled their plans citing travel complications. The 21st edition of the Nepal Open Paragliding Championship, organized by the Nepal Air Sports Association, is set to begin on Thursday and will run for three days.
Event coordinator Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai said that due to the Middle East tensions, 15 pilots—mainly from European countries and Saudi Arabia—will not be able to participate. “They had confirmed participation earlier, but due to canceled and disrupted flights, they later withdrew,” he said.
He added that several other pilots from different countries who had planned to join also postponed their travel plans due to difficulties caused by the conflict.
Is paragliding dying a slow death in Pokhara?
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According to him, a total of 63 pilots—both domestic and international—will compete in the event. Most participants are from India and China, along with some from Malaysia and Thailand. “Pilots from countries with easier access to Nepal have higher participation this time,” he said, adding that the competition will feature individual accuracy events for both men and women, as well as team events.
According to association president Anil KC, commercial paragliding flights will continue alongside the competition. These flights will operate from Toripani, near Sarangkot, and land in Chankhpur or Pame, while the competition flights will take off from Sarangkot and land above Phewa Lake.
He said the organizers have obtained permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, which has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for flights in the Sarangkot area during the event.
Paragliding competitions had previously been halted after a fatal accident during the Ninth National Games, in which a Pokhara-based pilot lost his life, leading authorities to suspend solo flights. Although solo flights resumed last year, organizers said the competition is only being held again this year.
Chinese tourists are known to show the highest interest in paragliding in Pokhara, with around 90 percent opting for the activity, according to operators. However, the sector had slowed after the COVID-19 pandemic due to a drop in Chinese arrivals.
“Currently, around 150 flights are taking place daily. This number had dropped significantly earlier, but is now gradually increasing,” an official said.
Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Office, Mani Raj Lamichhane, said paragliding has established a distinct identity as an adventure tourism product in Pokhara.
He added that such competitions contribute to tourism promotion and help attract more visitors. “Regular tourism-related events help keep the overall business sector active. The more activities we host, the more tourist arrivals we can expect,” he said, noting that such initiatives also strengthen Pokhara’s identity as an adventure tourism destination.
