The recent earthquake that devastated Nepal is impacting Bhutan’s airline companies. With a significant drop in the number of passengers flying to and from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, Bhutan Airlines had to temporarily suspend their flight to and from Kathmandu. Drukair has also started using a smaller aircraft.
Drukair used to fly full, about 118 passengers. But now, they just get about 15-20 passengers, a day.
Drukair commercial division’s General Manager, Ugen Tashi said they continue to fly to Nepal because it is their social mandate. “Our social mandate is to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and efficient air connectivity to the people of Bhutan as well as to those people who are visiting Bhutan.”
Until April 2015, Drukair has operated 36 flights per month to Nepal, on an average. However, after the earthquake the frequency of flights has been reduced to 20, a month.
Ugen Tashi said it is important for aviation industry to maintain their schedule integrity. “…as far as the operational cost is concerned, we have reduced frequency and capacity. We have also changed the equipment type from Air bus to ATR. ATR aircraft is far more economical, in terms of operation cost compared to an Airbus. I take comfort in the fact that we are definitely meeting the direct operating cost.”
Bhutan Airlines commercial general manager, Ugyen Tenzin said Bhutan Airlines will be ready to fly to Kathmandu as soon as they start getting more passengers. “Bhutan Airlines is a private organization and we could not afford the risks of sending empty flights to Nepal.”
Ugyen Tenzin also said the suspension of flight to Kathmandu has huge financial implications on them. Both the aircraft, that Bhutan Airlines operates, is on lease. One aircraft is just lying idle, according to Ugyen Tenzin.
