Bhutan Launches its First Domestic Air Service

With new airstrips in central and eastern Bhutan, Bhutan’s first domestic air service was launched on the 17^th December 2011 –with Tashi Air seeing  the arrival of its first aircraft at the Paro Airport early one morning on the 4^th December.

Sporting the Tashi group of companies’ logo on its vertical tail fin, and a Bhutan Airlines title on its fuselage – CEO, David Young explained that although the companies name would remain Tashi Air, the airline would be called Bhutan Airlines, so more people abroad would be able to recognise it.

Tashi Air bought the brand new PC-12 single engine turbo prop 8 seat passenger and cargo aircraft, for around USD 3.5 million, from the manufacturers Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland; with its first commercial flight going ahead on the 21^st December.

Providing flights to Bumthang and Youngphula – with one way tickets from USD 250 and USD 350 respectively; Tashi Air Pvt Ltd, officially launched the airline at the Taj Tashi Hotel on the 13^th December.

Both Tashi Air and Druk Air, were given the approval to operate a domestic air service, with a start date of March 2012. Bhutan Air (Tashi) will then go on to operate an international air service with an airbus A320 with 150 seats;  also  offering mountain flights in peak season and charter on demand.

Bhutan Air will also run a promotional offer that gives a discount of 24% for international passengers and 40% to Bhutanese passengers, between December 17^th 2011 and February 28^th 2012.

Druk Air has also started a new flight to Guwahati from Paro, with a duration of 35 – 50 minutes; flying from Paro to Bangkok via Guwahati – with plans to also launch flights to Singapore, Hong Kong and Mumbai.