From Lahan to Flydubai: Nepali Captain Leads Landmark Pokhara Flight

Kathmandu, September 24, 2026

Nepali Captain at the Controls

Nepali pilot Captain Sarbjeet Yadav was at the controls as flydubai launched its first scheduled Dubai–Pokhara service on September 23, marking a major step in Pokhara’s regular international air connectivity. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 landed at Pokhara International Airport at around 6:18 p.m. and received a water-cannon welcome upon arrival.

The new service connects Dubai directly with Pokhara every day. According to flydubai’s official schedule, flight FZ1165 departs Dubai at noon and is scheduled to arrive in Pokhara at 6:15 p.m., while return flight FZ1166 leaves Pokhara at 7:15 p.m. and reaches Dubai at 10 p.m., with all times listed locally.

Years of Experience Before Flydubai

According to reports, Yadav began his professional aviation career in 2008. He gained flying experience with Sita Air, Simrik Air and Shree Airlines before joining flydubai in 2022.

Reports say Yadav reached another major career milestone in 2025, when he was promoted to captain at flydubai. Some reports have also described him as the airline’s first Nepali captain.

Yadav is from Lahan, Siraha.

113 Passengers Arrive From Dubai

According to the Kathmandu Post and Onlinekhabar, the inaugural flight brought 113 passengers from Dubai to Pokhara, while 153 passengers were reported for the return journey to Dubai.

The aircraft was welcomed with a water-cannon salute after landing, while arriving passengers received khadas, garlands and gifts as Pokhara celebrated the beginning of the new scheduled service.

Pokhara Becomes Flydubai’s Second Nepal Destination

With the launch of the route, Pokhara has become flydubai’s second destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. The airline says it is also the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to Pokhara.

flydubai has served Nepal since 2009 and says it has carried around four million passengers to and from the country over the years.

The Pokhara route is also covered by flydubai’s codeshare partnership with Emirates, giving travelers access to wider onward connections through Dubai.

An Important Step for Pokhara International Airport

Pokhara International Airport officially opened on January 1, 2023, but establishing regular international connectivity has remained an important goal for the airport.

The September 23 flight was not Pokhara International Airport’s first international flight, as the airport had previously handled international and charter flights. However, it marked the beginning of flydubai’s regular scheduled service between Dubai and Pokhara.

For Pokhara, one of Nepal’s most important tourism destinations, the daily Dubai connection provides another direct international travel option and links the city with Dubai’s wider global aviation network.

For Captain Yadav, the inaugural flight also brought a Nepali pilot into the cockpit for a significant new international connection to his home country, adding a personal Nepali story to an important moment for Pokhara’s aviation sector.