Airport Overview

Paro is the only international airport in Bhutan. It is located in a deep valley at an elevation of 2,243 metres (7300 feet) above sea level. It is 6 km from Paro town and 55 km from the capital city, Thimphu. With surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 metres (18,000 feet), it is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to negotiate. Therefore, only with the help of a certified pilot, foreign aircraft can land at Paro. Flights to and from Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.

The Airport has very limited spaces for parking on the apron and can accommodate only up to five Airbus 319s. There are two airlines operating from Paro, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. DrukaAir has three Airbus 319s and one ATR-42, while Bhutan Airlines has two Airbus 319’s. Drukair is planning to replace the A 319s with A320s – the maximum size aircraft that the airport can accommodate.

Airport Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Bhutan Air Services

Bhutan Air Services is a private organization responsible for assisting and co-coordinating in cleaning all private aircraft and helicopters flying in and out of Bhutan. All the private aircraft and helicopters visiting Bhutan should contact Bhutan Air Services for the following services:

• For any enquiries on clearance of private aircraft and helicopters visiting Bhutan;
• Obtaining Landing clearance from DCA;
• Arrangement of ground handling services;
• Arrangement of Navigator / Guide Pilot to fly the aircraft into Paro Intl. Airport;
• Arrangement of Aircraft re-fueling;
• Processing of crew visa clearance;
• Co-ordination at the airport;
• Arrangement of VIP lounge for passengers;
• Arrangement of crew hotel / transport / catering;
• Aircraft and Helicopter charter service to Bhutan;
• Obtain permission from RBA for chartered helicopters to fly to other parts of the country.

Drukair

Drukair is a Royal Government of Bhutan Owned Airline run by the Investment Wing, Druk Holding and Investments (DHI). The national Airline of the Kingdom of Bhutan operates a schedule network within the South Asian region from its headquarters at Paro.

Drukair began operations on February 11, 1983, from Paro. At the time, Paro had a little airstrip servicing helicopter operations. Drukair commenced services with a 18-seat Dornier 228-200 that made its first touch down at Paro airport on January 14, 1983. Today Drukair has three Airbus 319’s and one ATR-42-500 and flies to five South East Asian countries and nine different destinations.  The table below shows Drukair's air operations.

Bhutan Airlines

BHUTAN AIRLINES - Tashi Air Pvt. Ltd, Bhutan’s first Private Airline came into existence after the Tashi Group of Companies outbid other joint venture companies and won the license to operate Airline Service both on Domestic and International Sectors. Bhutan Airlines began its first commercial flight Paro - Bangkok on the 10th of October 2013 followed by daily scheduled flights to Kolkata on the 16th of December 2013. Today Bhutan Airline operates seven days a week flight from Bangkok to Paro via Kolkata, India and Return and 6 flights (Except on Friday) to Kathmandu and return. Table below provides Bhutan Airlines operation destinations.

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 

4.5 Bhutan Airport Companies Contact List

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

A total of 6,328 flights and 284,074 passengers arrived and departed from Paro International Airport in 2016. The Department of Air Transport is currently working on expansion of the apron, which is expected to be completed by June 2018. With the new apron, a total of 8 mid-sized aircrafts can be accommodated.

Currently there is no separate cargo terminal at Paro International Airport. DOAT is constructing a new cargo terminal which is likely to be completed by June 2018. It will be 240 sqm (80 m x 30m) with a storage capacity of approximately 1,200 mt.

Runways

The runway has been lengthened on several occasions since construction and today stands at 2,165m and is asphalted. The maximum size aircraft that can land is Airbus 320/B737. There are no cargo aircraft in Bhutan. However, the airport officials advise that an Indian Air Force C-130 has landed at this airport and an Il-76 should be able to land without problems.

This is a very important point to note for delivery of air cargo in a national emergency.

Helicopter Pads

 There are two helipads within Paro International Airport which are under the management of Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited. The helipads can accommodate two helicopters landing at a time. It is asphalted and in good condition.

Airport Infrastructure Details

Airport Operating Details

Customs Guidance

No major issues with customs clearance. Office within airport arrival terminal.

Contact: Mr. Ugyen Thinley, +975-17625627

For more information on customs in Bhutan, please see the following link: 

1.3 Bhutan Customs Information

Storage Facilities

 Currently there are no proper storage facilities at the airport. A temporary storage is used which can accommodate around 200 mt. However, plans are in place to construct a new cargo terminal that will have storage facilities of around 350 mt.

Airfield Costs

NAVIGATION CHARGES

The civil aviation act of Bhutan stipulates that ‘there is no navigation charges for foreign military aircraft and aircraft used solely for the transportation of the representatives of foreign States or of United Nations personnel.” However, navigation charges are levied for all other types of aircraft landing at Paro International Airport.  Navigation charges are provided in the table below;

Regarding payment, except as approved by DOAT, all fees except the passenger service charge shall be paid by the commander of the aircraft or agent without demand before the aircraft departs from the aerodrome. All payments of fees are to be made in US Dollar or Bhutanese Currency.  Fees shall be paid to the Bhutan Air Service, clearing agent and if not so paid shall be made to the CAA jointly and severally from the owner or agent and the commander of the aircraft in respect of which the fees are payable.

In addition to navigation, landing, parking and handling charges, there are other fees payable, viz.  Navigator arrangement charges amounts to USD 500 per aircraft, passenger service fee of USD 14 (Airport tax/PSF) and VIP lounge charge of USD  50 per person (during peak tourist season) and USD 25 per person (during low season).

FUEL SERVICES CHARGES

 Bhutan Oil Corporation provides the Jet A1 fuel to all aircrafts at Paro International Airport. The price of fuel is regulated and fixed by the Department of Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES

 Presently there is no functional cargo terminal at Paro International Airport. Construction of a new cargo terminal is on-going and is expected to be completed by June 2018. The New terminal will have storage capacity of around 1,200 MT and 240 m² (80 m x 30 m).

AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES

There are no air bridges available at Paro International Airport.

Security

 The DOAT has its own arrangement for the security of the interior part of the Airport while the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) manages the external security. Currently DOAT has around 70 security personnel.