7 Facts You Never Knew About Flying Into Bhutan

Email

Druk Asia interviewed Namgyal Wangchuk, Senior First Officer with Drukair to find out what it's like to fly into Paro International Airport.

Paro International Airport (Source: Druk Asia)

 By Natalie Joy Lee

Is it really the most dangerous flight landing in the world, where few pilots are qualified to fly into the Land of the Thunder Dragon? We speak to a Drukair pilot to set the record straight once and for all.

Firstly, there’s no radar to guide planes into Bhutan’s Paro International Airport

Next imagine navigating around a long, winding, narrow valley surrounded by mountains as high as 18,000 feet, the pilot flying entirely on manual mode (with sheer experience!).  

Paro International Airport is situated in the Paro Valley, right in the midst of many tall mountains at 7,400 ft above sea level. Flying in and out of Paro on a plane promises you fascinating views. 

Source: Druk Asia Bhutan Travel Specialist

Finally, while most airports offer at least 10 nautical miles (that’s about 18km) of distance for pilots to gauge the most aligned approach onto the landing strip, this airport accords just one to two nautical miles – which literally means that there’s absolutely no room for error.

We are talking about the flight in and out of the Paro International Airport, the main gateway into the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

If the flight into Bhutan commands great skills, you must be wondering what goes on inside the cockpit?

Photo: Druk Asia

Well, we caught up with Namgyal Wangchuk, Senior First Officer with Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines for the ‘real story’ behind landing into Paro.

  1. It truly is one of the ‘most challenging’ flights in the world.

To put it simply, what makes it a challenge to fly into Paro is mainly due to the rough terrain that surrounds the Paro International Airport.

The mountains can be as high as 18,000 ft. In contrast, the airport lies at an elevation of 7,364 ft.

Technically, this affects and restricts the performance of the airplane. A pilot who is navigating a mid-sized jet would require more space and time to make critical decisions during take-off and landing.

  1. Half Changi Airport’s runway length, and you’ll have an idea of Paro Airport’s tight landing strip.

Another factor that makes flying into Paro unique and challenging is the length of the runway. It’s only 7,431 ft long (compared to Changi Airport’s 13,123 ft), and all the above factors demand the pilot to be very precise when landing.

  1. Planes can always land on auto pilot mode, right?

Not for the approach into Paro. We do have our own company procedures for landing that has been designed by our experienced captains and plane manufacturer.

It dictates what speed and altitude we’ll have to be at each checkpoint while approaching descend. I won’t go into detail as it’s quite technical! 

  1. If pilots can’t fly manually with confidence, then Paro International Airport is out of the question.

Other international airports have a technology called an ILS (Instrument Landing System) which guides the aircraft laterally and vertically in an approach to landing.

Photo: Druk Asia

But in Paro, the descent is always manually flown and we have just one VOR (Very high frequency Omni-directional range) equipment to guide us. 

  1. You’ll never find anyone with red-eyed flights into Bhutan.

All flights into Paro are limited to Visual Meteorological Conditions only. This means that there must be sufficient visibility of other aircrafts and the surrounding terrain. Bhutan bound flights are thus restricted to daylight hours, so night flying is not possible! 

  1. Think the views of the Himalayan Alps are mesmerising? Wait, there’s more.

As you might have heard, our country has been preserving its forest cover so when we fly in, we’re very close to the mountains which lets you in on an amazing view.

 Nearing the airport, the rice fields are always changing in colours according to seasons, so that’s quite an experience too.

  1. Yes, Drukair has expatriate pilots too!

There used to be very few international pilots with Drukair, but now that the aviation sector in Bhutan in general is growing rapidly. Currently, we have 25 Bhutanese pilots as well as a crew of 10 expatriate pilots.

This article first appeared in Druk Asia and has been edited for Daily Bhutan.


Related Posts

A tale of two airports in Bhutan

As the slow pace towards a pre-pandemic world begins, two of the country’s domestic airports are going through their own...

Nov 03, 2022 16:30

What you need to know about birdwatching in Bhutan

The best seasons and locations for birdwatching in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Sep 25, 2022 16:57

Bhutan revises its tourism policy to redefine High Value Low...

Visitors to Bhutan will now have to pay more than triple the previous Sustainable Development Fees (SDF).

Jul 20, 2022 21:44

Join #mybhutanmemories campaign now to win FREE flight tickets to...

All you have to do is to share your fond memories of Bhutan.

Jun 19, 2022 21:52

Trace the footsteps of the Divine Madman on this hiking trail

There is no better way to connect spiritually with Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madman”. The trail will take you downhill...

Apr 28, 2022 22:30

Been to Bhutan before? Stand a chance to win FREE flight tickets...

If you’ve been to Bhutan before, we want to hear your story.

Apr 15, 2022 19:49

Latest

News

Drukair resumes charter to Timor Leste's capital Dili from 2023

Drukair resumes weekly charter flights to Timor Leste's capital Dili after pandemic

Feb 01, 2023 11:19

Progress on Bhutan's Sustainable Low Emission Urban Transport System Project

Bhutan now has 200 electric vehicles on the road, with another hundred to be dispatched very soon.

Nov 29, 2022 18:13

Features

Bhutanese actor raise awareness on climate change by cycling through Bhutan

Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk launched The Messenger: Ride for Action, planting trees and talking to everybody.

Nov 25, 2022 15:18

Cordyceps Sinensis, the super mushrooms of Bhutan

Cordyceps Sinensis has many health benefits, which includes being an aphrodisiac.

Sep 25, 2022 16:50

Business

Bhutanese streaming platform Samuh is gaining international recognition

Founder and CEO of Samuh, Nyema Zam, recently won the Business Rice Awards 2022.

Dec 30, 2022 19:15

School in Lhuentse embrace entrepreneurship through Chip Production Unit

Bhutan endeavours to guide their youth towards innovation and creativity. The trickle-down effect has seen Tangmachu Central School’s...

Nov 29, 2022 18:04

Sports

Paro FC wins the 2022 BOB Bhutan Premier League

Paro FC wins third Premier League title in nail biting fashion in final match of the season.

Jan 09, 2023 15:45

More Bhutanese youths are engaged in football

Sitting at the 186th position in the FIFA rankings, Bhutan looks to improve its rankings in the years to come.

Aug 03, 2022 20:19

Travel

A tale of two airports in Bhutan

As the slow pace towards a pre-pandemic world begins, two of the country’s domestic airports are going through their own challenges and...

Nov 03, 2022 16:30

What you need to know about birdwatching in Bhutan

The best seasons and locations for birdwatching in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Sep 25, 2022 16:57

Lifestyle

Chillies, a spicy affair in Bhutan

The Bhutanese love it hot.

Jun 07, 2022 23:55

Bhutan is traditionally a matriarchal society

Women are the decision-makers at home, but something is keeping them from public life.

May 27, 2022 22:14

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!