Pokhara International Airport has tightened its flight safety rules, prohibiting drones, hot-air balloons, laser lights and even kite flying in the airspace and approach zones around the airport. The notice, reported by Nepali Times, applies to the area surrounding the airport and the flight paths aircraft use on take-off and landing.
For a city that markets itself on adventure, the restrictions are a big deal. Pokhara is one of Asia's best-known spots for paragliding over Phewa Lake, ultralight flights towards the Annapurna range and, increasingly, drone photography. Hot-air ballooning has also grown as a tourist activity in the valley in recent years. With commercial jets now using the international airport — opened in 2023 to replace the old domestic field — anything floating loose in the approach path is a genuine hazard, whether that's a drone sucked into an engine, a balloon drifting across a landing pattern or a kite line snagging an aircraft. Laser pointers aimed at cockpits are a documented danger during take-off and landing, which is why many airports worldwide treat them as a criminal offence.
The practical takeaway: if you're travelling to Pokhara with a drone, don't assume you can fly it near the airport or anywhere along the flight corridor. Nepal already requires permits for drone use, and this ban adds a firm no-go zone around the city's airport. Adventure operators offering balloon or ultralight trips will also need to keep their routes well clear of the approach zones, so expect some activities to be rerouted or limited on busy flying days. Kite flying might sound harmless, but it's a popular pastime in Nepal — especially during festival season — and the airport clearly wants no part of it in the flight path.
Why it matters to travellers: Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna trekking region and a top leisure stop in Nepal, so these rules will affect plenty of visitors. Check with your drone, balloon or paragliding operator before booking, get the necessary civil aviation approvals in advance, and keep your equipment grounded if you're staying anywhere near the airport. The rules exist because the airport now handles real international traffic — and the last thing anyone wants is a preventable incident over one of Nepal's most scenic valleys.
