During the 117th National Day celebrations at Changlimithang, His Majesty The King announced that Bhutan’s priority for the next five years is to construct a large international airport in Gelephu. Speaking at a recent forum, Seow Hiang Lee, a Board Director of Gelephu Mindfulness City, said that Bhutan has the opportunity to create one of the finest airports.
“This project is not just an infrastructure development—it is a People’s Project – a nation-building effort, a lifeline for Bhutan, for our economy, security, sovereignty, and ultimately, our future” – His Majesty The King.
His Majesty further announced that Bhutanese living in Australia, the United States, and Canada have already pledged nearly 140 million US dollars towards the airport project through the Gelephu Investment Development Corporation.
“This airport is essential for the success of the GMC as a business hub, and it is also a critical lifeline for Bhutan’s national security, especially for a landlocked country. We will begin construction next year and aim to complete the airport by the end of 2029.”
Meanwhile, Seow Hiang Lee, a GMC Board Director and former CEO of Singapore’s Changi Airport Group, said that the airport will serve as a landmark infrastructure project, embodying the spirit of Bhutan.
He said, “In Singapore when we first started building Changi, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew understood that it was more than just about getting people on a plane. People, both Singaporeans and the world, would judge the entire country based on that first experience. And I think that’s the heavy responsibility we feel—it’s a great privilege, but also a significant responsibility. In this case, I believe the airport in Gelephu will be the first major construction project that the world will see, and that’s a crucial moment for us.”
The airport economy is one of GMC’s core industries, aiming to establish Gelephu as an aviation and logistics hub for the South Asian region.
Seow Hiang Lee said that the Gelephu International Airport’s initial target of 400,000 passenger movements in its first phase is relatively modest to sustain the economic demands of an airport.
“Even in Singapore, when we first started, the economics of Changi were not self-sustaining from day one. But that shouldn’t be confused with the true value of the airport. Debt can finance the airport over time, many times over,” added Seow Hiang Lee.
He added that establishing an airport link is essential for GMC to connect with the two billion people in South Asia, facilitating industries and services.
The director also said that while GMC has secured public funding for part of the airport project, it can attract private investors to capitalise on their expertise and experience.
Sherub Dorji
