Pokhara, Dec 26: A chartered flight of the Sichuan Airlines carrying 126 passengers from Chengdu has landed at Pokhara International Airport. 

The Chinese team has arrived here to participate in the Second International Dragon Boat Race to be organized in the local Fewa Lake on December 29 and 30 on the occasion of the New Year 2025. The event is jointly organized by the Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Embassy of China and the Dragon Boat Association.

The Dragon Boat Festival was held for the first time in Nepal in 2023 at the initiatives of China. 

The 17th of the Nepali month Push (January 1, 2025) marks two years of the inauguration of Pokhara International Airport.  However, regular international flights have not taken place from this airport. Chartered flights that have been taking place intermittently have raised hopes, the Airport Office said. 

This is the third chartered flight operated by Sichuan Airlines. Seven chartered flights were operated by China, Bhutan and India, and three other international flights, to Pokhara Airport before this. (RSS)