Druk Air Paro-Bagdogra-Bangkok flight launched

Bhutan’s flagship carrier Druk Air launched new flight services from Paro in Bhutan to Bagdogra in West Bengal and Thailand’s capital Bangkok, on April 18, 2009.On a biweekly basis, an Airbus A-319 aircraft will fly Paro-Bagdogra-Bangkok route on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Druk Air chief executive Tandin Jamso said.

The return flights are on Wednesdays and Sundays.

“The new service would help increase the international tourist inflow to Sikkim and the entire region,” Sikkim Tourism Secretary S.B.S. Bhadauria said.

The nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra which is 124 kms away.

A one-way trip from Paro to Bangkok will cost passengers Rs 6,000, and a two-way trip will cost them Rs 10,000 excluding Rs 250 and other passenger service taxes.

The Druk Air fare for the Bagdogra-Paro route is Rs 2000. On reaching Bangkok, passengers from India will be able to board connecting flights to several destinations across North America, Europe, Asia and West Asia.

Druk Air will fly 114 passengers on the A-319 Air Boeing aircraft with enough cargo space.

“Druk Air would be the first airline to start operations in Sikkim once the airport is ready,” Jamso said.

“It would change the face of tourism in the region.”  Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) general secretary Lukendra Rasaily was quoted as saying.

“The new air service will also help international tourists to come to Sikkim via Bangkok,” he added.

Druk Air celebrated its silver jubilee in 2008. The airline has seven connecting points in India, Nepal Bangladesh and Thailand. It plans to expand its network to Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

The airline plans to but one more Boeing, and take at least one other on lease.