flydubai confirmed that its Dubai–Pokhara service launched on 23 September 2026. On 6 November 2026, its route page advertised seven direct flights a week. That listing is not confirmation that a particular flight will operate: check availability for your dates, the timetable and flight status before travelling. This update separates the launch announcement from current booking checks; we could not independently verify the current route-specific regulatory approval.
The short version
Route information reviewed on 6 November 2026. Launch details below are historical, not a live timetable or fare quote.
- The airline currently advertises seven weekly direct flights. Search your travel dates rather than relying on the September flight numbers and times below.
- The launch used Dubai Terminal 3 and an Emirates codeshare. Confirm the terminal, operating airline and baggage on your ticket.
- Pokhara International Airport is PHH. Many booking sites still show Pokhara as PKR, the old domestic airport, so the nonstop can be missing from their results.
- The cheapest fare type, Lite, has no checked baggage. Bringing anything home? Book Value (20 kg) or Flex (30 kg).
- Earlier reports described an initial one-month provisional approval. That does not establish the approval status now. We have not verified a current route-specific CAAN approval or renewal.
- Tourists can get a visa on arrival at Pokhara International Airport.
Dubai–Pokhara flight schedule
The September launch timetable is retained below for reference only. flydubai’s route page now shows different flight details, so do not use this table to plan airport arrival or connections. Use the airline’s timetable for your exact date and recheck flight status close to departure. All times below are local; Nepal is 1 hour 45 minutes ahead of Dubai.
| Flight | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| FZ1165 | Dubai (DXB, Terminal 3) 12:00 | Pokhara (PHH) 18:15 |
| FZ1166 | Pokhara (PHH) 19:15 | Dubai (DXB) 22:00 |
Ticket prices and baggage
Historical advertised return fares, not current quotes: flydubai’s 25 September 2026 launch release listed Economy from AED 1,950 departing Dubai and NPR 80,500 departing Pokhara; Business from AED 5,400 and NPR 135,000 respectively. These replaced the earlier June announcement figures. They are not guaranteed available today. Search your exact dates and compare the final total, baggage and change/refund rules before paying.
The fare type matters more than the headline price. flydubai's Lite fare includes only hand baggage; on its standard allowances Value includes 20 kg checked and Flex 30 kg — confirm on the fare you pick. Adding a bag later costs more than choosing the right fare at the start.
Flying home with luggage, gifts or a TV? Don't book Lite just because it is cheapest — with no checked bag, you pay for every kilo. Check what Nepal Customs lets you bring duty-free in our baggage and customs guide.
Why the flight is hard to find: PHH, not PKR
Pokhara has two airports. The old domestic airport is PKR; the new Pokhara International Airport, opened in 2023, is PHH, and that is the one flydubai uses. Several booking and comparison sites still list Pokhara under PKR, so a search can show only connections through Kathmandu, or nothing.
For the nonstop, search flydubai or Emirates directly and check that the arrival airport shows as Pokhara International (PHH). The fare search on this page compares the other option — flying into Kathmandu — which is worth checking against.
Pokhara or Kathmandu: which is better for you?
If home is in Kaski, Syangja, Tanahun, Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi or nearby, flying into Pokhara saves the whole Kathmandu–Pokhara leg — a long day by road, or a domestic flight with its own baggage limit and weather delays. That is time and money most people underestimate.
Kathmandu still has far more flights from the Gulf, on more airlines, so its fares can be lower — especially around festivals, when the Pokhara flight may fill first. Compare the total: the Pokhara fare against the Kathmandu fare plus your onward journey and a night's stay if you arrive late.
For a wedding, trek or other fixed commitment, leave a buffer for delays and changes. Follow the airline’s updates after booking and check cancellation terms before paying for onward travel. An old launch announcement or provisional approval report cannot guarantee your flight.
Arriving at Pokhara International Airport
Tourists can get a visa on arrival at Pokhara International Airport at the same fees as in Kathmandu: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days and USD 125 for 90 days. If you plan to use Nepal's online eTA instead, confirm it is accepted at Pokhara before relying on it — official information so far only describes the process at Kathmandu.
Nepal's customs allowances are the same at every airport, so the duty-free limits for gold, phones and TVs apply in Pokhara too. The new airport is a few kilometres from the old domestic one, and some domestic flights may still use the old airport — check which one your onward ticket shows.