A few cracks that have developed on the runway of Yongphula domestic airport in Trashigang has lead to the suspension of Drukair’s operations to Yongphula for time being.
The flights to Yongphula have been suspended on the recommendation of the Safety and Quality Department. The Department had carried out a joint assessment of the airport with Department of Civil Aviation and Coscap. Coscap is an international Civil Aviation organization that looks after the aviation safety and convergence of rules and regulations related to civil aviations in South Asia.
The General Manager of Drukair’s domestic flight told BBS that pebbles and cracks on the runway might cause tyre puncture of the plane while landing.
The joint assessment was carried out last month and reports were compiled separately by the Department of Civil Aviation, Drukair and Coscap.
Drukair also discovered cracks and pea sized pebbles on the runway of Bathpalathang domestic airport in Bumthang. Currently, Drukair is reviewing whether to continue or suspend flight operations to Bathpalathang.
But, the Department of Civil Aviation, said the assessment report from Coscap does not specify that the two domestic airports are not fit for flight operations.
Coscap has recommended the resurfacing of runways before the onset of monsoon.
The domestic airports became operational in December last year.
Resurfacing runways
As recommended by Coscap, the Department of Civil Aviation will carry out resurfacing of of Bathpalathang and Yongphula runways, at the earliest.
The Officiating Director General of Department of Civil Aviation said tendering of the works will be floated to interested bidders tomorrow.
The Department is waiting for the budget to be released for the next financial year. The Civil Aviation Department could not carry out the entire resurfacing works of Yongphula airport due to budget constraint, earlier.
Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank has committed Nu.400 million to the government for the maintenance of the three airports. ADB will release the money by the end of this year.
