A month after Drukair suspended flight operations to Yongphula domestic airport in Trashigang, same fate has befallen Bathpalathang domestic airport. Drukair canceled its flight operations to Bathpalathang domestic airport from the beginning of this month.
The flights were suspended on the recommendation of the Safety and Quality Department after they discovered several cracks that have developed on the runway and gravels surfaced on the top.
According to the department, the cracks and pebbles may cause tyre puncture and damage hydraulic pipe of the aircraft while landing. Hydraulic pipe is used to transport fuel and air to aero engines.
The General Manager of Drukair’s domestic flight, Namgay Wangchuk, said flight operations to Bumthang and Trashigang will resume after the runways are renovated.
Meanwhile, the Department of Civil Aviation has already floated tenders to the interested bidders to carry out maintenance works on the runways of both the airports.
The domestic airports were launched for flight operations in December last year.
