What type of planes does Bhutan Airlines use?-Current Fleet , Aircraft

The Bhutan Airlines which was the first privately owned airline in Bhutan is a significant aspect in the relation of this beautiful Himalayan kingdom with many international destinations. With a reputation of being committed to safety and customer care, the airline has modern aircrafts in its fleet to ensure that it provides a pleasant travelling experience. As the picturesque flight paths and stunning terrains can increase the tourism industry of Bhutan, also the Bhutan airport, Bhutan Airlines, contributes to the interchange and the connectivity of the country in terms of the cultural exchange.

What model of plane is primarily flown by Bhutan Airlines?

Current Fleet: The Aircraft Types

• At the present, the main body of Bhutan Airlines fleet comprises two aircraft Airbus A319-100. 

• As it has been described by the airline, each of these A319s has been designed to carry 126 passengers with 12 in the business class and 114 in economy. 

• These A319 jets are especially suitable in the routes of Bhutan Airlines. They have a balance between range, capacity and the capability to fly to high-altitude, problematic airports, such as Paro. 

Why the A319 Makes Sense for Bhutan Airlines? 

Runway and Altitude Limitations 

The Paro International Airport is considered to be one of the most notoriously challenging airports in the world. It has a short and high-altitude runway that is surrounded by high mountains. Many aircrafts cannot take off and land safely here and pilots are required to have special certification. The A319 is small and good in performance, thus it is a convenient aircraft to use in such demanding operations. 

Capacity Alignment 

A319 has 126 seats per plane and this is just adequate according to the demand Bhutan Airlines takes through its routes. It is big enough to accommodate a respectable amount of passengers in long-haul journeys (to Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangkok) and it is not excessive size that would run underutilization in too frequent occasions. 

Efficiency and Reliability 

The A319 being a relatively modern jet, has a good combination of fuel efficiency and reliability which is significant in a small airline like Bhutan Airlines that does not need to have such a huge fleet to achieve consistent operations. 

Past Aircraft 

In its early days of operation, Bhutan Airlines operated small single-engine aircraft Pilatus PC-12, primarily made use of in domestic flights. This assisted them in creating regional connectivity after which they continued to larger jets. Its small size and flexibility were appropriate to the PC-12 to serve remote or less traffic routes in Bhutan. 

Compared to Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines

To introduce the setting, it is positive to consider Bhutan Airlines and Drukair, the national airline of Bhutan. The fleet of Drukair includes all sorts of aircrafts: in 2025, the company will have three Airbus A319, one of A320neo, and one ATR 42-600 turboprop. 

In addition, the airline has entered into a MoU with Airbus to purchase three A320neo and two A321XLR jets between 2030 and 2030 and they will start being delivered at that time. 

Furthermore, these future aircrafts will not be the sole reason to encourage the Drukair network expansion that will probably comprise long-distance flights to not only Paro, but also the new airport at the Gelephu Mindfulness City. 

Operational Considerations 

• Pilot Certification: Paro is a rough airport and hence, pilots arriving and leaving Bhutan have to be educated on special skills. This is positive to the use of relatively narrow-body aircraft such as A319. 

• Route Network: Bhutan Airlines covers regional international flights (Kolkada, Bangkok (via Kolcada) and even Delhi (via Kathmandu). 

• Fleet Size: Bhutan Airlines is only operating two A319s and that is lean. Easy to maintain and controllable costs are its advantages, and the second aircraft cannot be used in the case of grounding is its disadvantage.

Conclusion 

Bhutan Airlines is currently operating two Airbus A319-100-type aircrafts, which are equipped with 126 passengers (12 business and 114 economy). These jets are also appropriate to the operations of the airline, whether locally or internationally, providing an appropriate balance of capacity, efficiency, and performance, particularly considering the difficult geography and the airport capacity of Bhutan. Although its fleet is quite small, Bhutan Airlines has taken a considered aircraft selection that suits its business model and operational requirements. With the aviation sector in Bhutan developing, it is fascinating to observe the way Bhutan Airlines develops or advances with the modernization of its fleet.