With a colourful chipdrel ceremony, the national airline welcomed its third aircraft to Bhutan on Saturday.
Drukair has leased a 48-seater European built aircraft to operate between its short haul routes, such as Kolkata, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal. The lease includes the option to purchase the aircraft.
The aircraft will be operating to Kolkata and Kathmandu on a daily basis. With the smaller aircraft having a smaller fuel consumption footprint than the airbus jets, the airline is expecting to save on operating costs.
Drukair also expects to operate the ATR 42-500 aircraft on the domestic sector, which is tentatively scheduled to begin sometime between July-August. But the department of civil aviation has not cleared the ATR 42-500 to operate domestically yet. Drukair will be conducting test flights to satisfy civil aviation that the aircraft can safely operate on the shorter runways of Batpalathang and Yongphula.
If the aircraft is passed, the airline will operate domestic flights before 9am and at 50 percent load capacity to ensure optimal performance of the aircraft.
The airline is also looking at the government to charter the aircraft for scenic flights and other purposes.
The arrival of the ATR was delayed by about three weeks, causing some scheduled flight disruptions. One of the reasons for the delay included having the aircraft painted in Drukair colours.
Despite the addition of a third aircraft to its fleet, Drukair still requires one more airbus jet to expand its network to include other cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Drukair is expecting its fourth aircraft next year.
By Gyalsten K Dorji
http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19654
Drukair has leased a 48-seater European built aircraft to operate between its short haul routes, such as Kolkata, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal. The lease includes the option to purchase the aircraft.
The aircraft will be operating to Kolkata and Kathmandu on a daily basis. With the smaller aircraft having a smaller fuel consumption footprint than the airbus jets, the airline is expecting to save on operating costs.
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| A traditional welcome for Druk Air’s third aircraft. |
If the aircraft is passed, the airline will operate domestic flights before 9am and at 50 percent load capacity to ensure optimal performance of the aircraft.
The airline is also looking at the government to charter the aircraft for scenic flights and other purposes.
The arrival of the ATR was delayed by about three weeks, causing some scheduled flight disruptions. One of the reasons for the delay included having the aircraft painted in Drukair colours.
Despite the addition of a third aircraft to its fleet, Drukair still requires one more airbus jet to expand its network to include other cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Drukair is expecting its fourth aircraft next year.
By Gyalsten K Dorji
http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19654
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