Kathmandu, April 1 -- The new international airport in Pokhara finally has a scheduled passenger flight-with at least one weekly trip.

On Monday, Nepal-Tibet joint venture Himalaya Airlines took off from Lhasa Gonggar Airport at 2:39 pm (Chinese local time) and landed at Pokhara International Airport at 1:56 pm (local time).

The flight was slightly delayed due to erratic winds.

There were 107 passengers, including 32 Chinese and 75 Nepalis. The 144-seater all-economy Airbus A319 received a water cannon salute welcome at the airport.

It was the first scheduled passenger flight from Pokhara since the airport's inauguration on January 1, 2023.

The Pokhara-Lhasa flight distance is around 90 minutes.

Prem Nath Thakur, the general manager...