2.2.1 Bhutan Paro International Airport
Airport Picture Description and Contacts of Key Companies Bhutan Air Services Drukair Bhutan Airlines Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator Runways Helicopter Pads Airport Infrastructure Details Airport Operating Details Customs Guidance Storage Facilities Airfield Costs NAVIGATION CHARGES FUEL SERVICES CHARGES CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES Security
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 Location and Contact
Country Bhutan
Province or District Paro
Nearest Town or City Paro Town with Distance from Airport Distance 6 km
Airport’s Complete Name Paro International Airport
Latitude
27o 24’11.23359” N
Longitude 89o 25’11.45278” E
Elevation (feet and m) 7,360 feet / 2,243.7 m
IATA Code PBH
ICAO Code VQPR
Managing Company or Airport Authority Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA)
Management Contact Person Karma Wangchuk, Director
Open From (hours) 05:00 (Sunrise)
Open To (hours) 17:00 (Sunset)
Airport Picture
Page 1
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.
Page 2 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.
Country City Airport
Bangladesh Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
India Bagdogra Bagdogra Airport
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
Gaya Gaya Airport
Kolkata Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport
Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
Nepal Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
Thailand Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport
Bhutan Paro Paro International Airport (International & Domestic)
Bumthang Bumthang Airport (Domestic)
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.
Country City Airport
India Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
Kolkata Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport
Nepal Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport
Thailand Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport
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.
Performance for 2016
Per Year Per Month Per Day
Total Aircraft Movements 6,328 530 12
Total Passengers 284,074 33,220 800
Page 3 Total Capacity of the Airport (mt) 1500 mt 125 mt NA
Current Activity of the Airport (mt) 614 mt 50 mt NA
Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) No
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.
Runway #1
Runway Dimensions Length (2,165m) x Width (30m)
Orientation 15/33
Surface Asphalt
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.
Helipads
Present Yes
Largest helicopter that can Land MI-26
Width and Length (m) 80 metres (L) X 60 metres (W)
Surface Asphalt
Airport Infrastructure Details
Customs Yes JET A-1 fuel Yes
Immigration Yes AVGAS 100 NA
Terminal Building Yes Single Point Refuelling Yes
Passenger Terminal Yes Air Starter Units NO
Cargo terminal No Ground Power (mobile) Yes
Pax Transport to Airfield No Ground Handling Services Yes
Control Tower Yes Latrine Servicing Yes
Weather Facilities Yes Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) Yes
Catering Services Yes De-icing Equipment No
Base Operating Room Yes Parking Ramp Lighting No
Airport Radar Yes Approach & Runway Lights No
NDB No VOR Yes
Page 4 ILS No
Airport Operating Details
Operating Details
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded Airbus A319 / A320 on Bulk Cargo
Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded NA on Pallet
Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²) Presently there is parking space for five Airbus 319 (128 metres X 45 metres), additional apron is being constructed that will have 126 X 52 m.
Storage Area 200 MT
Handling Equipment
Elevators / Hi Loaders No Max Capacity (MT)
Max Height
(m)
Loading Ramps Yes
Other Comments
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).
Charges Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg)
0 - 7,000 7,001 - 136,000 136,001 and over
Page 5 Navigation (per journey) USD - $ USD10 USD 20 USD 30
Landing USD - $ USD 124 USD 124 USD 124
Night Landing USD - $ NA NA NA
Night Take-Off USD - $ NA NA NA
Parking USD 10 USD 10 USD 10
Handling Charges USD 750 (for turnaround within 3 hr) USD 1,100 (for turnaround within 3 hr) USD 1,700 (for turnaround within 3 hr)
USD 850 (for over 3 hr and night stop) USD 1,250 (for over 3 hr and night stop) USD 1,950 (for over 3 hr and night stop)
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.
Price per Litre USD - $
Jet A-1 USD 0.75
Avgas NA
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).
Import Charges
Type of Charge Rate USD - $ per kg Comments
Handling Charge NA
Break Bulk Fee NA
Diplomatic Mail NA
Strong Room – per consignment NA
Cold Storage Fee NA
Delivery Outside Normal Working Hours NA
Preparation of substitute AOA – Invoice – Receipt NA
Storage per Day NA
Export
Handling Charges – Un-palletized Cargo NA
International Air Waybill NA
Local Air Waybill NA
Air Way Bill Amendment - Cancellation NA
Air Way Bill Documentation NA
Diplomatic Mail NA
Storage Charges per Day NA
AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES
There are no air bridges available at Paro International Airport.
Security
Page 6 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.
Page 7