Air Astra Wants to Launch Flights on Dhaka-Pokhara Route

According to sources, Air Astra has requested the relevant authorities of Nepal for permission to operate its first international flight service on the Dhaka-Pokhara route, from Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, to the popular tourist destination of Nepal, Pokhara.

The airline has also submitted applications for a number of fee exemptions, such as waivers of landing, fuel, parking, turnover tax, and navigation fees.

Air Aistra has contacted Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to get flying privileges and exemptions.

Reports cited Buddhisagar Lamichhane, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, saying, “The company has sought exemptions on various issues. We need to coordinate with the relevant ministries for this. The proposal for direct flights at Pokhara International Airport is also a good opportunity for us.”

Should approval be granted, the airline will take over as the exclusive operator on the Dhaka-Pokhara route.

According to sources, Air Astra has submitted an application to operate four flights per week between Pokhara and Dhaka. The airline now operates flights with three ATR72-600s in its fleet.

The only two airlines operating the Bangladesh-Nepal route currently are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier, and Himalaya Airlines, a Nepalese airline. There is a single weekly flight from Dhaka to Kathmandu operated by the airlines.

According to reports, since its founding in 2023, Pokhara International Airport has not handled any international flights. As a result, it is said that the authorities of Nepal are eager to boost international travel to and from the airport.

For more travel-related news about Bangladesh, follow Fly to BD.