2.2.1 Paro

Airport Picture Description and Contacts of Key Companies Bhutan Air Services Drukair 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, . 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 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

Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport

Gaya

Kolkata Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport

Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport

Nepal Tribhuvan International Airport

Thailand Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Singapore Singapore

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, and Return and 6 flights (Except on Friday) to Kathmandu and return. Table below provides Bhutan Airlines operation destinations.

Country City Airport

India 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 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 . 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 (RBA) manages the external security. Currently DOAT has around 70 security personnel.

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