Private air service on the plans

Thimphu, August 22: In a mountainous country, flight service would be a better alternative of transportation than land transport, despite being costly for a poor country like Bhutan. Yet, interests have spelled out to start a private air service.

This week’s Bhutan Times weekly published a story stating that Yangphel Tours and Treks and the managing director of Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited (BTCL) have submitted a letter of intent to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to start domestic air services in the country.

“We have submitted our letter of intent to the government with a proposal for a small airline which can fly throughout the country especially in the east,” the tabloid quoted Karma Lotey, the managing director of Yangphel to have said so.

BTCL Managing Director Yeshey Norbu said the plan is just in maid if air service would be viable between Paro and Bumthang.

They are looking at small, 9-8 seater, safe aircrafts like Pilletus PC 12, Cescna and beach aircrafts, to match the country’s topography.

“This is an expensive business and we would be happy to restrict to one airline only. The market is not explored and in the beginning too many operators will have difficulty in sustaining themselves,” DCA director is quoted Phala Dorji.

Beginning of the domestic air service would help promote tourism and explore the undiscovered cultural heritages of eastern and remote districts.

Currently, Druk Air is only the air service operator, under the government control. Bhutan News Service