Contemporary Developments
Until 23 August 2010 Druk Air was the only airline flying into Bhutan. The airline is a lifeline for the Bhutanese people, connecting Bhutan with the outside world and supporting emerging inbound tourism and export markets. The airline has, in recent times, been criticised for its unreliability, particularly by the Bhutanese tourism industry which is still in its infancy, and regards the very company upon which it relies, as its biggest threat.
In October 2009, the Bhutanese government planned construction works of an airstrip in Yongphulla. The airstrip, which was expected to be 3,900 feet (1,200 m) in length and operational by March 2010, would allow for service by small aircraft in the 15 – 16 seat category. The project was being financed with Nu. 34 million from the budget which was previously allocated to the development of domestic helicopter services. The airstrip would only be operational during the morning hours due to high winds in the afternoon; making safe operations risky. Druk Air is conducting a feasibility study into operating flights to the airstrip from Paro, as well as, two other airstrips which are under construction at Bathpalathang and Gelephu.
In 2006 the Indian government acting for the Bhutanese government, conducted a feasibility study into the viability of an international airport near the southern Bhutanese town of Gelephu. In the five-year plan (which covers 2008–2013) the sum of BTN 2,826 million had been allocated by the Bhutanese government for development of the new airport. A preliminary survey was conducted by India in May 2006 and the survey team from the Airports Authority of India was to return and complete the final survey in September 2006. In October 2008 the project was shelved, and the Bhutanese Government decided that the airport at Gelephu would be used for domestic flights only. Since then the construction of a domestic airport at Gelephu has been scheduled to commence in late 2010 with the airport proposing to start operations in June 2011. The Bhutanese Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has indicated that the airport at Gelephu will be an 'all-weather' airport that may be able to accept some international traffic in the future.
Under the Vision 2020 Plan, the Royal Bhutanese Government has identified the requirement for improved external air links by 2017, in an effort to increase tourism revenue 100% by 2012 and 150% by 2017. The airline is currently conducting feasibility studies into the commencement of operations to either Hong Kong or Singapore by March 2011. The airline's commercial manager has stated that preliminary studies show that Bhutanese traffic to Singapore would consist mainly of official travel, whilst traffic to Hong Kong would be mainly commercial, with good prospects for tourism development.
On 21 April 2010, an ATR 42 turboprop regional aircraft was delivered to Paro under a nine-month lease. The aircraft was used on flights from Paro to Kolkata and Kathmandu, and also be on standby during the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit in Thimphu at the end of April. Druk Air announced its intention to join the International Air Transport Association in 2009.
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