The Yonphula domestic airport will be closed to air traffic starting November this year. Major developmental works such as resurfacing the entire runway and the construction of access road to the airport will be done during the closure period. The renovation is expected to go on until the end of 2014.
The two small hills on the either sides of the runway will be excavated.
The Chief Administration Officer from the Department of Civil Aviation, Karma Wangchuk, said they want to flatten the two hills. “…we want to straighten that hump from the end of the runway. We also want to lift the runway little bit higher so that the hump is covered.”
The Asian Development Bank has given funds of over Nu.100 million to the civil aviation department to carry out the project.
The Department of Civil Aviation had discussed with the Drukair Corporation on how the runway should be resurfaced for the convenience of the pilots.
“We had involved the chief pilot of the ATR, the safety officer from Drukair, the quality assurance manager from the Drukair the we had the aerodrome officer from department of civil aviation and our engineers.” Karma Wangchuk also said they have involved the consultants from ADB. “…ADB has brought in pavement experts from UK.”
The Civil Aviation Department is most likely to tender out the works in October. However, since it is a major developmental works, the tenders will be floated internationally. Meanwhile, the department has also plans to do some developmental works at the Bathpalathang airport in Bumthang.
