No domestic flights in Pokhara on Election Day despite EC approval

POKHARA, Feb 28: Although the Election Commission (EC) has given the green light for domestic flights to operate on election day, airlines in Pokhara have decided to suspend services, citing a lack of passengers.

The EC had permitted both domestic and international flights to operate, requesting the Ministry of Home Affairs to make the necessary security arrangements. In previous elections, while international flights continued, domestic services were typically grounded. This time, the EC sought to change that by allowing domestic carriers to fly as well.

Despite the approval, airlines have not scheduled any flights, stating that potential passengers have already made alternative arrangements. The confusion stems from an earlier, widespread assumption that all domestic flights would be cancelled, leading airlines to stop taking bookings and reschedule passengers to days before or after the election.

Airlines: Passengers Gone, Operations Unfeasible

Yeti Airlines spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula explained that the reversal has come too late. “After initial information suggested no flights would operate, all passengers rescheduled their bookings. Even though we now have permission, there are simply no passengers, and managing logistics at the last minute would be difficult. There will be no flights on that day,” he said.

Buddha Air information officer Dipendra Karna echoed this sentiment, adding that ground transportation to and from the airport would be an additional hurdle. “Travel will not be easy for passengers. Even if we fly, moving people between the airport and their destinations would be problematic,” Karna said. He noted that the absence of flights could particularly inconvenience patients and those with urgent travel needs.

Shree Airlines, which also operates on the Pokhara–Kathmandu route, has similarly refrained from publishing a flight schedule for election day.

Tourism Sector Ready to Assist, but Flights Needed First

Local tourism entrepreneurs expressed frustration, stating they are prepared to facilitate guest movement if the airlines would operate.

Maniraj Lamichhane, chief of the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki, confirmed that shuttle bus services could be arranged between the airport and hotels to ease passenger movement. “The EC has done its part. If airlines are ready to operate, we can arrange transport. But first, the airlines must be willing to fly,” he said.

Kishor Dahal, President of NATTA Gandaki, added that while shuttle services could be arranged to Lakeside, the primary issue remains the lack of confirmed flights. “Transporting tourists between the airport and hotels won't be a problem. The uncertainty is whether any planes will actually land,” Dahal said.

He assured that tourists already in the region would face no issues, as hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing destinations will remain open and accessible by foot or local transport.

Currently, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines operate regular flights from Pokhara to destinations including Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Bharatpur.