Airports in Bhutan
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One International Gateway, Three Domestic Strips
Here is the list of 4 Airports in Bhutan
1. Paro International Airport
Paro International Airport is situated in the valley town of Paro in Bhutan. This airport is the country’s first and only international airport which started operating in 1968. Although this airport connects all international flights to and from Paro, the airport is quite small in size with only one terminal and one runway. Type of Airport: International Airport Distance from the city: 6-7 kms Major airlines : Drukair and Bhutan Airlines Choose this airport if you are travelling to: Chirang,Daga,Tsirang,Ha
2. Bathpalathang Airport, Bumthang
Located near the Jakar district of Bhutan, the Bathpalathang Airport started operating from 2011 and initially had flights only to and from Paro however, it later got suspended in 2012. This airport reopened recently and has two flights - Bhutan Airlines flies to and from Paro/Thimpu whereas Druk Air, flies to and from Gelephu/Paro. Type of Airport: Domestic Airport Distance from the city: 5-6 kms from Jakar Major airlines: Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines Choose this airport if you are travelling to: Chamkhar Valley, Bumthang Bhutan
3. Gelephu Airport
Gelephu Airport was once an international hub among Bhutan’s airports and is the country’s third domestic airport, situated in Samtenling,Gewog, near a small town named Gelephu, in the Sarpang district of Bhutan. reopened in 2017, this airport hosts only one airline, which flies to and from Jakar and Paro. Type of Airport: Domestic Airport Distance from the city: 3-4kms from Gelephu Major airlines: Druk Air Choose this airport if you are travelling to: Tali Dratshang, Gyenyan Lhakhang
4. Yongphulla Airport, Trashigang
The Yongphulla Airport, located near Trashigang in Bhutan, was initially built in the 1960s by the Indian Army and was mostly unused. In 2010, it was reopened for public use as a domestic airport. There are plans of developing this airport into an International Airport. There are two airlines operating from this airport, to and from Jakar and Paro. Distance from the city: 20-25 kms from Trashigang Major airlines: Bhutanese Airlines, Druk Air Choose this airport if you are travelling to: Jakar, Thimpu/Paro
Bhutan Travel Packages
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7 Days Essential Bhutan Tour: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha & More
Phuentsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Paro(2N)
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8 Days - Journey to Land of Happiness: Bhutan Tour Package
Phuntsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Punakha(1N) → Paro(2N)
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7 Nights & 8 Days Bhutan Group Package from Bagdogra
Phuntsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Punakha(1N) → Paro(2N)
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Shortest Bhutan Tour Package for 3 Nights 4 Days
Thimphu(1N) → Paro(2N)
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6 Days Bhutan Tour Package
Paro(2N) → Thimphu(1N) → Phuentsholing(2N)
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Unique Bhutan Tour Package for 4 Nights / 5 Days
Thimphu(2N) → Paro(2N)
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Paro is the only way into Bhutan by air, and it is the reason so many itineraries begin and end in the same valley. The runway sits at about 2,200 metres between peaks that rise to more than four times that, the approach is flown visually rather than on instruments, and only a small number of pilots are certified for it, which is why flights operate in daylight and in good visibility only. Two carriers serve it, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, and the routes run to Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Bangkok and Singapore. The three domestic airfields, Bathpalathang in Bumthang, Gelephu on the southern plain and Yongphulla near Trashigang, exist to save days of driving on the lateral road, and a flight east out of Yongphulla can cut two days off a return journey. All of them cancel readily in cloud, so never plan a domestic flight on the day of an international departure, and keep a road day in reserve. See also cities in Bhutan, villages of Bhutan and monasteries in Bhutan.
This post was published by Holidify.com
FAQs on Airports in Bhutan
How many airports does Bhutan have?
Four. Paro is the only international airport, and Bathpalathang in Bumthang, Gelephu in the south and Yongphulla near Trashigang handle domestic flights only.
Why is Paro considered a difficult airport?
It sits in a narrow valley at around 2,200 metres, surrounded by peaks well over 5,000 metres, with a short runway and a curving approach flown by sight rather than by instruments. Only a small group of specially certified pilots operate into it, and flights run in daylight and clear weather only.
Which airlines fly to Bhutan?
Drukair, the national carrier, and Bhutan Airlines. Between them they connect Paro with Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Bangkok and Singapore. No foreign carrier operates into Paro.
Are domestic flights in Bhutan reliable?
Not especially. All three domestic airfields are in mountain valleys and cancel readily for cloud or wind, sometimes for days. They are worth booking because they save long drives, but never schedule one on the same day as an international departure and keep a road contingency.
Which airport is closest to Thimphu?
Paro, about 50 km and an hour and a half by road from the capital. There is no airport at Thimphu itself and no plan for one, the valley being unsuitable.
What is the best side of the plane for mountain views?
Flying into Paro from Kathmandu or Delhi, the left side gives the Himalayan range including Everest and Kanchenjunga on a clear morning. Ask at check-in, since seats are usually assigned there and the crew know the request well.
