Pokhara International Airport

<p>Pokhara International Airport (IATA: PKR, ICAO: VNPR) is Nepal’s third international aviation gateway. Located in Chhinne Danda, approximately 3 kilometers east of Pokhara’s older domestic airport, it serves as the premier aerial portal and tourist hub for the Annapurna Himalayan region and western Nepal. Quick FactsLocation: Pokhara, Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal Elevation: 800 meters (2,600 ft) above sea level Runway: Single asphalt-concrete runway (Designated 04/22), measuring 2,500 meters (8,202 ft) in length and 45 meters in width Terminals: Dual terminal layout featuring a 10,000-square-meter international terminal and a separate 4,000-square-meter domestic terminal Operating Agency: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) History & SignificanceThe concept of establishing an international airport in Pokhara dates back to land acquisition by the government in the 1970s. Construction under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model officially began with a ground-breaking ceremony in April 2016. Built to ICAO Category 4D standards to accommodate narrow-body jets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, the facility was officially inaugurated and began commercial operations on January 1, 2023. Designed to ease congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport and enhance regional connectivity, PIA features advanced navigation, lighting, and wide-area multilateration surveillance systems. It functions as a vital modern anchor for Gandaki Province’s tourism economy, streamlining travel for millions of global trekkers, mountaineers, and leisure travelers heading toward the heart of the Himalayas.</p>