Paro Airport: Entry Permit Checks For Visitors?

Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. It is located 6km from Paro city and is known for its challenging approach through the mountains. All foreigners entering the country must hold a valid passport, with a Visa clearance not guaranteeing entry. Paro Airport does check entry permits, and an Entry Permit is required to visit Thimphu and Paro. This can be obtained at the airport, but some sources suggest it is issued at a Government Office.

Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan

Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan out of the four airports in the country. It is located 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from the city of Paro and 54 kilometres (34 miles) from Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The airport is situated 2,235 metres (7,332 feet) above mean sea level, deep in a valley and surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500 metres (18,000 feet). Due to these challenging conditions, only a small number of pilots are certified to land at the airport, and flights are restricted to daylight hours with additional restrictions during windy seasons.

The airport has a single 2,265-metre (7,431-foot) asphalt runway and one terminal building, which was commissioned in 1999. The runway's length and the airport's location presented specific challenges for aircraft operations, requiring aircraft with specific capabilities, such as a high service ceiling, a high rate of climb, and high manoeuvrability. The airport's infrastructure is limited, and aircraft must be capable of flying a Kolkata-Paro-Kolkata round trip without refuelling.

Paro Airport was first established with a simple airstrip in 1968 by the Indian Border Roads Organisation for helicopter operations by the Indian Armed Forces on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Bhutan's first airline, Drukair, was established by royal charter in 1981, and the first scheduled commercial flight took off from Paro Airport in 1983. Buddha Air became the first international airline to operate charters to Paro in 2010, and Tashi Air, Bhutan's first private airline, began operations in 2011.

In terms of entry permits, some sources suggest that an entry permit can be obtained at Paro International Airport upon arrival. However, others indicate that a permit may need to be obtained at a government office with a guide or travel agent accompanying the visitor. The required documents for processing the permit at the airport include the original and photocopy of a Voter ID card/Passport, as well as a passport-size photo. The permit is valid for travel to Thimphu and Paro, but for travel beyond these areas, an ILP must be obtained from the Thimphu Immigration Office.

Paro Airport is located 6km from Paro city

Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. It is located 6km from Paro city, in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu. The airport is easily accessible by road, 54km from the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu by Paro-Thimphu road.

Paro Airport is surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500m (18,000 ft) above sea level, and the airport itself is 2,235m (7,332 ft) above mean sea level. This makes it one of the world's most challenging airports, and only a select few pilots are certified to land there. Flights to and from Paro are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset, with additional restrictions in the afternoon during windy seasons.

The airport has a single 2,265m (7,431 ft) asphalt runway and one terminal building, which was commissioned in 1999. The first airstrip was built in 1968 by the Indian Border Roads Organization for use by the Indian Military on behalf of the Bhutanese government. The runway was lengthened and reinforced in 1990 to accommodate heavier aircraft.

In terms of entry permits, it seems that the requirements may vary depending on the traveller's nationality and place of departure. For example, one source mentions that Indians travelling to Bhutan by air need to obtain an entry permit from a government office, accompanied by a guide. However, another source states that, upon arrival at Paro Airport, visitors need to produce their original and photocopy of their Voter ID card/passport and a passport-sized photo to obtain an entry permit. This permit is valid only for travelling up to Thimphu and Paro. For travel beyond these cities, an ILP must be obtained from the Thimphu Immigration Office.

Paro Airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports

Paro International Airport in Bhutan is widely considered one of the world's most challenging airports. Nestled in a deep valley 2,235 metres (7,332 feet) above sea level, the airport is surrounded by towering mountains that reach up to 5,500 metres (18,000 feet). This rugged terrain, characterised by steep mountains and rapidly changing weather conditions, presents a unique set of challenges for pilots.

The airport's single asphalt runway, stretching 2,265 metres (7,431 feet) in length, is renowned for its complexity. It demands a high level of precision and expertise from pilots due to its confined space and the surrounding geographical obstacles. The approach to the runway involves navigating through narrow valleys and steep descent rates, further adding to the complexity of landing at Paro.

The altitude of the airport also poses significant challenges. The thin air at such a high altitude affects aircraft performance, requiring pilots to make precise calculations and adjustments. Additionally, the limited infrastructure at Paro International Airport poses logistical challenges. Fuel, for example, is available from only one vendor at the airport, which can impact operations and planning for airlines.

Compounding the difficulty is the restriction that flights to and from Paro are permitted only during daylight hours and under visual meteorological conditions. This restriction is in place due to the hazardous nature of the approach and departure procedures at the airport. Windy seasons bring additional constraints in the afternoon, further limiting the operational window for flights.

Given these factors, only a small number of pilots are certified to land at Paro International Airport. The airport's unique demands require pilots to undergo specialised training and possess exceptional skills in handling aircraft in challenging conditions. The combination of geographical constraints, weather considerations, and infrastructure limitations makes Paro International Airport one of the most demanding airports in the world, demanding the utmost skill and precision from pilots and operators alike.

Paro Airport has modern facilities and services

Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, and it is located 6km from the city of Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu. The airport is quite challenging to access due to its location 2,235 meters above mean sea level and its surrounding mountains, which reach heights of up to 5,500 meters. Only a small number of pilots are certified to land at the airport, and flights are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset, with additional constraints during windy afternoons.

Despite these challenges, Paro Airport has modern facilities and services to accommodate travellers. The airport has a single 2,265-meter asphalt runway and a terminal building that was commissioned in 1999. In 2012, the airport underwent renovations, gaining four new structures: a modified departure terminal building, a cargo building, a relocated substation, and a parallel taxiway. While the airport's amenities are limited to a few basic cafes, it does offer free WiFi and 24-hour food options.

For travellers needing a place to stay, there are several hotels near Paro Airport, including Hotel Tashi Phontshok, Hotel Drukchen, and Khangkhu Resort. These hotels do not provide airport shuttle services, but nearby hotels offer shuttle services for a fee. Additionally, travellers have reported that economy ticket holders may be able to pay to access the Druk Air Thunder Business Lounge.

In terms of transportation, taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Paro Airport is also served by two airlines: Bhutan Airlines and Druk Air. It is important to note that for those entering Bhutan through Paro Airport, specific documents, such as a Voter ID card, passport, and passport-size photo, are required to obtain an entry permit. This permit is valid only for travel to Thimphu and Paro; for travel beyond these areas, an ILP from the Thimphu Immigration Office is necessary.

Paro Airport has one terminal building

Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, and it is located 6km from the city of Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the Paro Chhu river. The airport is 2,235 metres above mean sea level and is surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500 metres. Due to its challenging approach through the mountains, Paro Airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports, and only a small number of pilots are certified to land there.

The airport has a single 2,265-metre asphalt runway and one terminal building that was commissioned in 1999. The terminal building and the airport's modern facilities contribute to a seamless travel experience for residents and visitors, supporting the economic and cultural development of the area. The airport has seen significant growth in passenger traffic, with 181,659 passengers in 2012 to 397,599 passengers in 2018, along with 6,761 flights handled that year.

Regarding entry permits, all foreigners must hold a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond their intended departure from Bhutan. Visa clearance does not guarantee entry, and an entry/landing seal in the passport must be granted by the immigration officer. Indian nationals holding diplomatic or official passports will receive an entry permit and seal with a validity of up to 90 days. Ordinary passport holders will have a validity depending on their duration of stay, not exceeding 30 days.

For Indian nationals without a national passport, identity documents issued by the Indian Embassy or the state/central government of India are required. These travellers will receive an entry permit in lieu of a visa, valid for up to 30 days, which must be surrendered at the immigration counter upon exit. At Paro Airport, Indian nationals must produce their original and photocopy of their Voter ID card or passport, along with a passport-size photo, to obtain an entry permit. This permit is only valid for travel to Thimphu and Paro. For travel beyond these cities, an ILP must be obtained from the Thimphu Immigration Office.

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