Lois Larson
Paro International Airport is widely considered one of the most challenging airports in the world for planes to land in due to its location in a deep valley surrounded by mountains. Only a small number of pilots are certified to land at the airport, and they must do so manually, without radar. The airport is located 6km from Paro, Bhutan, and is the country's sole international airport. So, which airlines land at Paro Airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Paro International Airport |
| Location | 6 km from Paro, Bhutan |
| Altitude | 2,235 m |
| Runway Length | 1,964 m |
| Difficulty | One of the most challenging airports in the world |
| Airlines | Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines, Bhutan Airlines, Buddha Air, Tashi Air |
| Destinations | Kathmandu, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, Dhaka, Mumbai, Singapore, Hanoi |
| Notable Features | Surrounded by mountains, manual landing required, limited flights and pilots |
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What You'll Learn
- Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines are the only two airlines operating at Paro Airport
- The airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to land at
- Only a small number of pilots are certified to land at Paro Airport
- Flights to and from Paro Airport are restricted to daylight hours and good visibility
- The airport is accessible by road, 6km from Paro city and 54km from Thimphu
Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines are the only two airlines operating at Paro Airport
Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. It is located 6km from Paro Town in the Paro Valley, and is surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500m. Due to its short runway and mountainous terrain, it is considered one of the world's most challenging airports, and only a small number of pilots are certified to land at the airport.
Bhutan Airlines, the country's first private airline, began operations at Paro Airport in 2011. The airline provides flights to the kingdom from international locations.
Both airlines primarily operate flights to and from Nepal and India, including Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. They also offer flights to other Southeast Asian cities, such as Bangkok and Singapore.
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The airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to land at
Paro International Airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to land at. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the airport is located in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu, with surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 metres (18,000 feet). This means that pilots must navigate through a narrow valley, descending and dodging air currents, with the plane's wings almost touching the hillsides.
Secondly, the runway at Paro Airport is relatively short, at only 7,431 feet long, and flanked by two tall mountains. As a result, pilots can only see the runway when they are about to land, and they must perform a steep turn during the final stages of landing. The short runway also means that narrow-body aircraft flying to and from the airport must operate within strict speed and altitude parameters.
Thirdly, there is no radar to guide planes into the airport, so pilots must fly manually and rely on their knowledge of the local terrain. This includes knowing the location of electrical poles and house roofs on the hillside, which can be obstacles during landing.
Finally, the weather conditions in Paro can be challenging, with strong wind conditions in the afternoon and during the monsoon season from June to August. As a result, airport officials prefer all planes to land before noon for optimal safety.
Due to these challenges, only a small number of pilots are certified to land at Paro Airport. These pilots must undergo extensive training and have a minimum of 1,500 total flight hours, including 500 hours of mountain flying time.
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Only a small number of pilots are certified to land at Paro Airport
Paro International Airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to land in due to its location in a deep valley surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500 meters. Pilots must perform landings manually, without radar, and must be intimately familiar with the landscape to avoid landing on top of someone's house. Dorji, a Druk Air pilot and trainer, explains that "at higher elevations, the air is thinner, so the aircraft essentially has to fly through the air faster."
Because of these challenges, only a small number of pilots are certified to land at Paro Airport. In fact, according to CNN, only 50 pilots are qualified to land at this airport. These pilots must undergo specialized training, including area competence training, to ensure they are able to safely navigate the unique conditions present at Paro Airport.
The airport itself has a short runway of just 1,964 meters, which was lengthened from 1,402 meters in 1990 to accommodate heavier aircraft. The runway is flanked by two tall mountains, which means pilots can only see the runway when they are about to land. Additionally, a 45-degree steep turn is required to enter the runway, further adding to the complexity of landing at Paro Airport.
Due to these challenges, flights to and from Paro Airport are restricted to daylight hours and are only permitted under visual meteorological conditions with good visibility. Airport officials prefer that planes land before noon to avoid strong wind conditions that can make landings even more difficult.
Despite the challenges, Paro International Airport is a major hub for Bhutan, serving as the main gateway to the country for both domestic and international flights. The airport offers direct flights to and from India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Singapore, as well as domestic flights within Bhutan.
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Flights to and from Paro Airport are restricted to daylight hours and good visibility
Paro International Airport is Bhutan's sole international airport and is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to land at. The airport is located in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu, with surrounding peaks as high as 18,000 feet. Only a small number of pilots are certified to land at the airport, and they must do so manually, without the aid of radar.
To ensure optimal safety, airport officials prefer that all planes land before noon due to strong wind conditions in the afternoon. While takeoffs are less affected by the wind, there are no nighttime flights at Paro, regardless of the season, due to the lack of radar. The challenging conditions at Paro Airport mean that only two airlines operate there: the state-owned Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and the private Bhutan Airlines.
The restrictions on flights to and from Paro Airport can also result in changes to flight schedules and routes due to clouds and other weather conditions. Pilots must be able to navigate through narrow valleys, descend and dodge air currents, and make a 45-degree steep turn to enter the runway. These factors demand a high level of precision and expertise from pilots.
The challenging conditions at Paro Airport have led to the development of specific procedures for landing, including speed and altitude requirements at various visual landmark checkpoints. These procedures are designed by experienced pilots and aircraft manufacturers to ensure safe landings at the airport.
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The airport is accessible by road, 6km from Paro city and 54km from Thimphu
Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, and it is accessible by road. The airport is located 6km from Paro city and 54km from Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The drive from the airport to Thimphu takes you through the Paro-Thimphu road, which winds through the Paro Valley, a beautiful amalgamation of traditional Bhutanese and modern culture. The valley is known for its mountains, cliff-clinging monasteries, and fortresses.
Bhutan is located between China and India, and it is more than 97% mountains. Paro International Airport is widely considered one of the most challenging airports in the world to fly in and out of due to its mountainous surroundings and short runway. The airport is situated at an elevation of 2,235 meters, with surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 meters. Pilots need to undergo specialised training and obtain local knowledge of the area to be certified to land at the airport.
The challenging conditions at Paro International Airport mean that flights are restricted to daylight hours, and often need to be changed due to clouds and weather conditions. Strong winds in the afternoon during the windy season further limit the number of flights that can operate safely. As a result, airport officials prefer that planes land before noon for optimal safety.
Despite the challenges, Paro International Airport serves as the main hub for Bhutan's national carriers, Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines. The airport offers international scheduled passenger and cargo services, with destinations primarily in Nepal and major cities in India, including Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. There are also flights to other Southeast Asian cities, such as Bangkok and Singapore.
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Frequently asked questions
Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. The national carriers, Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines, use the airport as their hub, operating flights to and from destinations in Nepal, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Singapore. Other airlines that operate flights to Paro include Buddha Air, the first international airline to operate charters to Paro, and Tashi Air, Bhutan's first private airline.
Paro Airport is widely considered one of the most challenging airports in the world to land at due to its location in a deep valley surrounded by mountains as high as 5,500 meters. Pilots must perform landings manually, without radar, and must possess local knowledge of the landscape. A 45-degree steep turn is required to enter the runway, and pilots can only see the runway when they are about to land on it.
Flights to and from Paro Airport are only permitted during daylight hours and under visual meteorological conditions due to strong wind conditions and low visibility in the area. Airport officials prefer that planes land before noon for optimal safety.
