Bhutan’s two airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, are increasing flight services to accommodate the expected surge in travellers for the raising of the 108 stupas in Gelephu on November 1.
Drukair has allocated 1,009 seats for international arrivals between October 29 and 31, with passengers travelling from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Singapore and Kolkata. The airline has also allocated 657 seats for departures on November 3 and 4.
Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk said the airline faces challenges in managing passenger demand, as most travellers are expected to fly into Paro before the event and leave after it.
“The challenge is that, most of the time, in the initial period, most of the people will be travelling into Paro in Bhutan. And after the event, most of the people will be travelling out, thereby one of the sectors will mostly be flying empty or with minimum load,” he said.
Bhutan Airlines has scheduled additional flights between October 27 and November 5. The airline has also confirmed a charter flight from Hanoi carrying 126 passengers to Paro on October 31, with the return flight scheduled for November 4.
Ugyen Chophel, Marketing Officer, Bhutan Airlines, encouraged travellers to book early and consider their travel dates, timings and routes due to strong demand around the event. He also highlighted the airline’s special Hong Kong to Paro service on November 1, with the return flight from Paro to Hong Kong scheduled for November 8.
Besides international connections, Drukair is also increasing services between Paro and Gelephu. The airline plans to provide 524 seats from Paro to Gelephu between October 29 and November 2, and 480 seats for return journeys between November 1 and 4.
Because of Gelephu’s shorter runway, Drukair will use its smaller ATR and Pilatus PC-24 aircraft. The Adani Group will provide two additional PC-24 aircraft to support passenger transportation between Paro and Gelephu.
“Adani group who has come forward and they are sending two Pilatus PC-24 for the duration to assist Druk Air in transportation of passengers from Paro to Gelephu and back to Paro,” said Tandi Wangchuk.
Drukair will also position three helicopters in Gelephu to provide operational support, including emergency response. The helicopters may also be used to transport additional passengers, depending on operational feasibility and availability.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
