Paro Airport

Paro International Airport is Bhutan's only international airport, located in the Paro Valley in western Bhutan. It is about 6 km from Paro town and approximately 50 km from the capital, Thimphu. Surrounded by high mountains, the airport is known for its challenging approach routes and spectacular views of the Himalayas.

Overview

Paro International Airport sits at an elevation of 2,235 meters above sea level. Its runway is 1,964 meters long and 29 meters wide, with two aircraft parking stands. Surrounded by mountains, some reaching elevations of approximately 5,480 meters, the airport presents significant challenges for aircraft approaches and landings. Flights must be operated by pilots who have completed specialized training and obtained the necessary qualifications. Operations are permitted only during daylight hours and under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).

The airport terminal provides basic passenger facilities, including check-in counters, boarding areas, restaurants and cafés, duty-free shops, souvenir shops, banking services, and a VIP lounge.

History of Paro International Airport

Why Is Paro Airport Challenging?

Paro International Airport is considered one of the more challenging airports for aircraft operations. Its difficulty is not simply due to its relatively short runway, but also to the surrounding mountainous terrain, complex approach routes, and strict weather and visibility requirements.

1. Surrounded by High Mountains, with a Complex Approach

Paro Airport is located in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains, some of which rise above 5,000 meters. Unlike airports on open plains, aircraft cannot approach along a wide, straight flight path. Instead, pilots must follow routes shaped by the valley's terrain, adjusting their altitude and direction to complete turns and descent within limited airspace.

2. A Relatively Short Runway

Paro Airport has a runway approximately 1,964 meters long, which is considerably shorter than those at many international airports. Aircraft must land and slow down within this limited distance, placing greater demands on pilot handling and aircraft performance.

3. Strict Pilot Qualification Requirements

The mountainous terrain and specialized approach procedures mean that not all commercial pilots are qualified to operate at Paro Airport. Airlines must assign pilots who have completed specific training and obtained the necessary authorization for flights to and from Paro.

4. Daylight Operations and Suitable Weather Conditions

Flights at Paro Airport rely primarily on Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Unlike airports equipped with advanced instrument landing systems, Paro has limited capability to support approaches in poor visibility using instruments. As a result, flights generally operate only during daylight hours and when weather and visibility conditions are suitable. Weather in the valley can change quickly, sometimes causing flight delays or cancellations.

Airlines of Paro Airport

Paro Airport serves as the hub for both Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines, acting as Bhutan's main gateway. The routes are mainly to Nepal and India, including Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and others. The number of flights to and from here is limited, with only two airlines operating: the state-owned Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and the private Bhutan Airlines.

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines or Drukair, established in 1981, is the first airline in Bhutan. It operates scheduled flights to domestic and international destinations, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Singapore. There are daily flights to Paro from Bangkok, Thailand, and twice a week (Thursdays and Sundays) from Singapore.

Bhutan Airlines, also known as Tashi Air Pvt. Ltd is Bhutan's first private airline. Established in 2011, Bhutan Airlines is headquartered in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. It operates two A319 aircraft, accommodating 126 passengers, including 12 business class seats and 114 economy class seats. There are daily flights from Bangkok via Kolkata to Paro and weekly flights from Kathmandu to Delhi.

International Flights to Paro

Paro Airport has domestic and international routes in Bhutan. Since tourists rarely take domestic routes in Bhutan, we mainly introduce you to the international direct flights in and out of Bhutan.

Kathmandu to Paro

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, offers the quickest flight to Bhutan, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour. As the closest city to Bhutan for tourists, there are daily flights from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) to Paro Bhutan Airport (PBH). Most tourists choose Kathmandu as their starting point for flying to Bhutan because the flight route almost aligns with the direction of the Himalayan mountains. In less than an hour's flight time, tourists can view the snow-capped mountains (8,000m) from the plane (10,000m) and take photos with the distant Himalayas. >>See more about Kathmandu to Paro flights

To see this magnificent view, we recommend you choose a window seat on the left side when flying from Kathmandu to Paro. On the return journey from Paro to Kathmandu, choose a window seat on the right side, which provides an unobstructed view of the continuous snow-capped mountains and a clear view of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.

Bangkok to Paro

In order to meet the needs of tourists traveling between Thailand and Bhutan, flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Paro are operated once a day during peak season. During the off-peak season, with fewer flights, travelers can transit through India or Bangladesh to enter Bhutan. The direct flight from Bangkok to Paro takes approximately 3 hours, while connecting flights take longer.

Singapore to Paro

There are two flights per week from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Paro via Guwahati, a city in northern India. The total travel time is approximately 6 hours. Due to the 2-hour time difference between Bhutan and Singapore, the entire trip is mostly in the morning, leaving Singapore in the early morning and arriving in Bhutan still in the morning.

New Delhi to Paro

Bhutan is a popular holiday destination for Indians, with a large number of tourists visiting from India each year. So there are direct flights to Paro from many Indian cities, especially those in the northern regions close to Bhutan. Here, we will only introduce flight information from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Paro. There is a daily direct flight from New Delhi to Paro, with a flight duration of around 2 hours.

Here is the Paro Airport Flight Common Schedule and Destinations:

Travel Documents Needed for Paro Airport Flights

For non-Indian tourists to enter Bhutan by air, it is necessary to obtain a Bhutanese visa, otherwise, tourists cannot buy a Bhutanese flight ticket. Tourists can only apply for a Bhutan visa through a licensed tour operator, which typically takes two weeks. After payment, you should inform the travel agency immediately so that they can verify the payment and then they will apply for a visa. If the visa is approved, you will get a visa clearance letter and must present it at the port of entry. The visa is then stamped into your passport.

How to Book Flights to Paro?

Flights can be booked through the official websites of the airlines. All flights to Bhutan are operated by the country's two airlines: Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines(flight code: KB), the national airline of Bhutan, and Bhutan Airlines(flight code: B3), a private airline operated by the Tashi Group. The ticket prices are only divided into off-season and peak season, basically no discount.

Tickets can also be booked through Bhutanese Travel agents. However, considering the possibility of ticket modifications or refunds, it is advisable to have the booking done through a Bhutanese travel agency unless the seats are in high demand. It will be more convenient for subsequent air ticket changes and other tasks.

Conclusion

Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. It takes a certain amount of courage to enter this country surrounded by the Himalayas, and it is also a very challenging job for the captain of the aircraft. On the flight, passengers can enjoy the majestic Himalayan range, including Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Gangkhar Puensum. The colors of the rice paddies near the airport change with the seasons, providing a distinctive experience.