Kathmandu–Pokhara Air Corridor Sees 90% Booking Surge as Prithvi Highway Remains Impassable

Domestic airlines operating the Kathmandu–Pokhara sector are reporting occupancy rates above 90% since early September, a sharp rise attributed directly to the ongoing closure of the Prithvi Highway at Krishnabhir. The landslide-damaged stretch, which severed the primary road link between the capital and western Nepal in early September, has yet to reopen to through traffic as of early November.

For trekkers bound for the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp, or the Mardi Himal route, the flight has shifted from a convenience to a necessity. Operators who typically advise clients to drive the six-to-seven-hour highway journey are now building the 25-minute flight into every itinerary, and helicopter charter requests for the same corridor have risen in parallel.

“The highway closure has effectively made the air bridge the only reliable entry point for the autumn trekking season.”

— Senior operations manager, domestic carrier

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal had requested airlines to increase frequency on the Kathmandu–Pokhara–Bharatpur–Bhairahawa triangle to absorb displaced road traffic. Carriers responded by adding rotations where slots allow, but airport infrastructure at Pokhara International Airport remains a limiting factor. The 2,500-metre runway, inaugurated in 2023, handles current ATR-72 and Bombardier CRJ operations but cannot accommodate larger narrow-body aircraft that would meaningfully increase seat supply.

Meanwhile, the alternative overland route via the Mugling–Narayanghat–Butwal corridor adds four to six hours of travel time and is itself prone to monsoon-related disruptions. Tourist buses and private vehicles are being rerouted, but the extended journey discourages time-constrained visitors and increases per-head transport costs for trekking agencies.

For Holy Himalaya guests, the practical impact is clear: autumn 2026 Annapurna departures are being booked with confirmed Kathmandu–Pokhara flights as standard. Ground transport is reserved only for the Pokhara–Nayapul or Pokhara–Besisahar legs, where road conditions remain stable. Helicopter charter from Kathmandu direct to Annapurna trailhead helipads — Jomsom, Humde, or Chhomrong — is available for clients seeking to compress the approach further, though weather windows at this time of year require flexible scheduling.

The Department of Roads has not published a firm reopening date for the Krishnabhir section. Geotechnical assessments are ongoing, and dry-season repair work is expected to continue through March 2027. Until the highway is certified for heavy tourist traffic, the air corridor will remain the primary artery for western Nepal tourism.