Why Nepal’s China-built airport is ‘cautiously optimistic’ over first international flight
Nepal's China-built Pokhara International Airport is set to receive its first scheduled international flight on March 31, operated by Himalaya Airlines to Lhasa. This marks a significant moment for the airport, which has been aiming to attract more international carriers since its inauguration two years ago, with hopes of boosting tourism and connectivity between Nepal and China.
While tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have welcomed the announcement as "long overdue," they also express concerns about the route's long-term viability. Some suggest that connecting Pokhara to other Chinese cities or labor-intensive markets in the Gulf might have been more sustainable. The airport, envisioned since the 1970s, only began to materialize in 2016 when Nepal and China signed a loan agreement for its construction.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Nepal's China-built Pokhara International Airport is set to receive its first scheduled international flight on March 31, operated by Himalaya Airlines to Lhasa. This marks a significant moment for the airport, which has been aiming to attract more international carriers since its inauguration two years ago, with hopes of boosting tourism and connectivity between Nepal and China.
While tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have welcomed the announcement as "long overdue," they also express concerns about the route's long-term viability. Some suggest that connecting Pokhara to other Chinese cities or labor-intensive markets in the Gulf might have been more sustainable. The airport, envisioned since the 1970s, only began to materialize in 2016 when Nepal and China signed a loan agreement for its construction.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
