Category Archives: Drukair

Drukair places order for a new ATR 42-600 equipped with the ClearVision™ system

Drukair and the world’s leading turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR today announced the signing of an order for an ATR 42-600 equipped with the new ClearVision™ system. The airline will be the first operator to benefit from the advantages of ClearVision’s™ Combined Vision System (CVS), incorporating the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) which improves visibility and the Synthetic Vision System (SVS) which generates images of terrain and obstacles using an extensive database. The combination of these solutions provides pilots with outstanding vision and consequently improves their situational awareness. This new ATR 42-600 is expected to be delivered to Drukair in July 2019.

Drukair has been operating ATR 42s since 2011 and operates in challenging environments, serving small airports in the Himalayan Mountains. Certified last year, the ATR -600’s latest Standard 3 avionics includes RNP AR 0.3/0.3, which further enhances airfield accessibility and operational performance.

ATR predicts that regional aviation will require more than 600 40-60-seat turboprop aircraft over the next 20 years. The ATR 42-600 is currently the only 50-seater turboprop in production and a proven route opener. In 2017, ATR aircraft opened over 150 routes and 30% of the overall traffic growth over the next 20 years will be represented by routes that do not exist today.

Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair, said: “Purchasing another ATR was a natural decision. The improvements delivered by the -600 series’ new Standard 3 avionics, along with the ClearVision™ CVS system add significant operational and thus economic value. We also look forward to welcoming passengers into the most modern cabin in regional aviation and offering them the most comfortable in-flight experience possible.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, remarked: “Drukair’s decision to purchase the latest version of our product not only validates the versatility and operational efficiency of our -600 series aircraft, but also affirms the value of our policy of continuous development. Offering valuable solutions which have a genuine and immediate impact on our customer’s business will always be a priority for us at ATR. We look forward to contributing to the famous “Gross National Happiness” of the people of Bhutan, long into the future.”

Photo: ATR.

Drukair orders one Airbus A320neo and one ATR 42-600

Drukair signed a purchase agreement with Airbus in Hamburg, Germany on April 11, 2018 for a new Airbus A320neo, configured to 20 Business and 120 Economy seats.

Photo: Airbus.

The new Airbus is expected to arrive Bhutan in the first quarter of 2020.

Additionally Drukair signed a MOU with ATR for the purchase of one ATR 42-600 on April 6, 2018, due to be delivered in July 2019.

Photo: Drukair.

Drukair aircraft slide show:

Drukair to again operate a route to Bangkok this summer

Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines Airbus A319-115 WL D-AVYB (A5-JSW) (msn 6496) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 926468.

Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Paro) will again operate the Paro – Bangkok route with its Airbus A319s this summer from May 16 until October 27, 2018 according to Airline Route.

Photo Above: Paro Airport (Drukair).

Top Copyright Photo: Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines Airbus A319-115 WL D-AVYB (A5-JSW) (msn 6496) XFW (Gerd Beilfuss). Image: 926468.

Drukair aircraft slide show:

Video: Flying into Paro.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ndshSc0zX4&w=560&h=315%5D

 

BBC Video: A pilot’s view video of the descent and landing into Paro Airport in Bhutan

Druk Air-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Paro) operates regularly scheduled flights into its mountainous home country of Bhutan. The unique report by the BBC shows the approach into Paro Airport while the captain explains the unique approach. This approach is not for the faint of heart.

BBC Video: The Travel Show: Carmen Roberts reports from the cockpit as a pilot guides his plane into what has been known as one of the world’s most dangerous airports: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Drukair). Drukair operates three Airbus A319s and a ATR 42-500 into and out of Paro Airport.

Photo Below: Drukair. The ATR 42-500 began operations with Drukair in June 2011. It flies to the nearby cities of Kolkata, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Gaya and Bagdogra. The ATR is a 48 seater, all economy, but can also be converted into 8 VIP seater and a 22 economy seat configuration, available for charter and mountain flights.

Drukair ATR 42-500 (04)(Grd) Paro (Drukair)(LR)

Map of Bhutan:

Bhutan Map-1

Drukair logo-1

Drukair Route Map:

Drukair 10.2014 Route Map

Drukair Aircraft Slide Show:

Video: Another video by it4dev of the approach:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c05T0VK2ytI?list=PLXTLQ0Rx7qctFsSDLVPaJguKtsYViVSPX&w=560&h=315%5D

Drukair confirms order for one Airbus A319 with Sharklets

Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines (Paro) has signed a firm order for an Airbus A319 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices to complement its existing fleet of two A319s. The order announced at the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow, follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February.

Landlocked and surrounded by a wall of the world’s tallest mountains, Bhutan is one of the world’s most pristine locations and one of the world’s most challenging destinations for air services. At over 7,000 feet above sea level, Drukair’s base at Paro airport is only possible using Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for approach. This means the crew can only fly by vision, which requires a high performance and responsive aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen. Drukair currently operates two Airbus A319s.

Drukair signs a MOU for an Airbus A319 with Sharklets

Drukair (Paro), the flag carrier of landlocked Eastern Himalayan mountain Kingdom of Bhutan, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for an Airbus A319-100 aircraft fitted with Sharklets to complement its existing fleet of two A319s.

Paro is the only airport in Bhutan which is located in a deep valley at an elevation of 7300 ft above sea level. The surrounding hills are high as 16,000 ft and approach into Paro airport is entirely by visual flight rules. Due to the difficult operating conditions, operations with the Dornier 228 caused many delays and diversions. With the growth of traffic and the expansion of flights, the need for a larger aircraft became necessary. After conducting numerous tests taking into account the difficult operating conditions the British Aerospace BAe 146-100 was selected and started operations in November 1988. Within a short span of its introduction the network of Drukair increased to link Paro with New-Delhi, Bangkok and Kathmandu. From two destinations in 1983 today Drukair operates from Paro seven times a week to Bangkok where five flights operate via Kolkata and two flights through Gaya (flights via Dhaka and Yangon are currently suspended), three times a week to Kathmandu and Delhi.

Drukair purchased and Airbus delivered two A319 in the largest transaction the country has ever taken. The final delivery of the A319 was made on December 3, 2004 and as of now, both the Airbus are operational.

Top Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen.

Bottom Image: Airbus.

The country of Bhutan: