Kathmandu, June 21. An international aircraft made its inaugural landing at Pokhara International Airport today, marking a significant milestone for the airport since its operation commenced earlier this year.

According to Bishnu Adhikari, the information officer at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), a direct chartered flight operated by Sichuan Airlines originating from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in China landed at Pokhara International Airport at 9:06 am.

The arrival of the A-391 Airbus of Sichuan Airlines brought with it a Nepali delegation led by National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, who had just returned from a visit to China. The delegation was accompanied by a group of Chinese athletes and tourists. The Chinese athletes are set to participate in the upcoming Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Festival scheduled to be held on Friday and Saturday at Fewa Lake.

Notable dignitaries present at the airport to welcome the passengers included Prithvi Man Gurung, Chief of Gandaki Province; Surendra Raj Pandey, Chief Minister of the province; Sudan Kirati, Federal Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; and Dhanraj Acharya, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolis.

Regarding future flights, the airport authorities have yet to provide an update on the schedule of the next flight operated by the same airline to Pokhara.