Key Takeaways:

• Flights resume Sept 16, operating every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday
• Route suspended four months ago due to fuel costs and fewer Indian pilgrims
• Demand rising with increase in religious tourism via Nepalgunj
• Tourism entrepreneurs say revival will boost connectivity and local tourism

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 20 The four-month suspension of the Nepalgunj-Pokhara air route is set to end next month, with rising passenger demand and a recent increase in religious tourism prompting its revival. Buddha Air will resume flights between the two tourist destinations from September 16, operating the service every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, according to the airline. Buddha Air Nepalgunj station manager Binit Bikram Shah said the decision to restart the route was taken in response to growing demand from passengers. The route was suspended about four months ago amid a rise in fuel prices and a decline in the number of Indian pilgrims travelling through Nepalgunj. However, demand for air travel has picked up in recent weeks following an increase in the number of religious tourists, Shah said. The Nepalgunj-Pokhara connection is considered important for tourism as Nepalgunj provides relatively easy access to Pokhara for visitors from Indian cities near the Nepal-India border, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Tourism entrepreneurs in both Nepalgunj and Pokhara have welcomed the resumption, saying the direct connection could help promote tourism in both cities.