flydubai Launches Daily Non-Stop Flights Between Dubai and Pokhara, Nepal

Quick answer: flydubai began daily non-stop flights between Dubai International (DXB Terminal 3) and Pokhara, Nepal, on 23 September 2026 — the first scheduled international service to Pokhara by any airline and flydubai’s second destination in Nepal after Kathmandu.

Travellers between the UAE and Nepal now have a brand-new option. flydubai has become the first airline to operate scheduled international flights to Pokhara, launching a daily non-stop service from Dubai International’s Terminal 3 on 23 September 2026. It is the first direct air link between the UAE and Nepal’s adventure capital.

The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, touched down in Pokhara with 113 passengers on board. For UAE residents — particularly the large Nepali expatriate community — and for adventure travellers heading the other way, the new route cuts the journey down to a single direct flight instead of connecting through Kathmandu or other hubs.

Why Pokhara Matters for UAE Travellers

Pokhara sits on the edge of Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range rising behind it, and it is Nepal’s undisputed adventure hub. Paragliding, trekking trailheads, ultralight flights, and lake-side cafés all start here. Until now, reaching it from the UAE meant flying into Kathmandu and then taking a domestic hop — a connection that often added hours and a second ticket to the trip.

A daily non-stop service changes that arithmetic. Weekend treks to Annapurna base camp or family visits home suddenly fit into a Friday-to-Sunday window without the Kathmandu detour. Pokhara is now flydubai’s second destination in Nepal after Kathmandu, and the carrier’s Nepal schedule has grown to 35 weekly flights across both cities.

Flight Details and Fares

The route operates daily from Dubai International’s Terminal 3. Return fares from Dubai start from AED 1,950 in Economy and AED 5,400 in Business class — competitive for a four-hour non-stop sector into the Himalayas, especially when weighed against the cost and time of a separate domestic connection from Kathmandu.

Because the service is part of flydubai’s wider network, passengers can also book through journeys: the carrier’s codeshare with Emirates lets travellers buy a single ticket with through-checked baggage across a combined network of more than 140 destinations. That matters for European or American visitors who want to add Nepal to a Dubai stopover without piecing together separate bookings.

What This Means for Nepal–UAE Ties

flydubai chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said the new service would strengthen trade and tourism flows between the UAE and Nepal, opening up easier two-way travel for both business and leisure. The direct link is expected to bring more Gulf tourists to Nepal’s trekking and adventure sector, while giving Nepali residents in the UAE a faster route home.

The timing fits the season too. Nepal’s prime trekking months run from October through November, and the daily Dubai–Pokhara service arrives just as clear skies return to the Annapurna region. October is the most popular trekking window and lodges along popular trails fill fast.

A flydubai aircraft taking off from Dubai International Airport at sunset
A daily non-stop Dubai–Pokhara service means UAE travellers can reach Nepal’s adventure capital without connecting through Kathmandu.

Planning Your Pokhara Trip from Dubai

If you are using Dubai as your departure point, it pays to arrive at the airport early — Terminal 3’s cabin-class experience differs between airlines, so check your fare’s baggage allowance before packing trekking gear. Business-class passengers get the usual lounge access, though on this route the real luxury is simply skipping the connection.

Budget planners should factor in the full trip cost beyond the airfare: Nepali visa fees on arrival, domestic transfers around Pokhara, and travel insurance that covers trekking are all worth pricing in. Our Dubai trip cost breakdown and currency and payments guide can help with the Dubai side of the journey.

Paragliders soaring over Phewa Lake in Pokhara with the Annapurna mountains behind
Pokhara is Nepal’s adventure hub — paragliding over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range in view is one of its signature experiences.

FAQs

When did flydubai start flying from Dubai to Pokhara?

The daily non-stop service started on 23 September 2026, departing from Dubai International’s Terminal 3.

Is this the first direct flight between the UAE and Pokhara?

Yes. flydubai is the first airline to operate scheduled international flights to Pokhara, making this the first direct UAE–Pokhara link. Its previous Nepal service was limited to Kathmandu.

How much do Dubai–Pokhara return flights cost?

Return fares from Dubai start from AED 1,950 in Economy and AED 5,400 in Business class, per flydubai’s launch announcement.

Can I book connecting flights to Pokhara through Emirates?

Yes — through the flydubai–Emirates codeshare, you can book a single ticket with through-checked baggage across their combined network of 140+ destinations.

How many weekly flights does flydubai now operate to Nepal?

With the daily Pokhara service added, flydubai’s Nepal schedule totals 35 weekly flights across Pokhara and Kathmandu.