Bhutan Airlines: Bhutan's Second Airline, Who Runs It and What It Offers

History and positioning

Bhutan Airlines, the trade name of Tashi Air Pvt. Ltd., is Bhutan's first private airline, launched in 2011 and operating since 2013. It is controlled by the Tashi Group, a major Bhutanese industrial conglomerate founded in 1959, and was created to offer an alternative to the historic monopoly of state-owned Drukair on flights to the Himalayan kingdom.

The fleet

It operates a compact fleet of four Airbus A319s and one A320, sized to demand that is limited by the small number of visitors Bhutanese tourism policy allows each year. The fleet is relatively young compared with the average age of Himalayan regional carriers, something the airline has used as a competitive argument against its state-owned rival.

Routes and network

The routes link Paro to regional destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kathmandu and some Indian cities, partly overlapping with those of Drukair. The network remains smaller than that of its state-owned rival, however, with less choice of schedules on the less popular routes.

What is appreciated about it as a second option

• A useful presence for those who cannot find availability on Drukair flights on their desired dates, especially in the high tourist season.
• Onboard service comparable to that of its state-owned rival on comparable routes.
• A fleet that is relatively young compared with the average age of Himalayan regional carriers.

What still holds this airline back

• A smaller destination network than Drukair, with less choice of schedules on the less popular routes.
• Lower international recognition, which leads some travelers not to consider it as a first option when searching.
• The same dependence as Drukair on Paro's weather conditions, with cancellations possible during periods of fog or strong wind.

Bhutan Airlines is a good alternative when Drukair flights on your desired dates are already full, rather than a standalone first choice. To date it offers no clear advantage in terms of network or frequencies over its state-owned rival.

Always compare the schedules of both airlines before booking: on many dates the choice between Bhutan Airlines and Drukair simply comes down to which one offers the most convenient time for your international connection.