Bathpalathang Airport

Bathpalathang Airport
IATA: BUT – ICAO: VQBT
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Government
Serves Jakar, Bhutan
Elevation AMSL 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
Coordinates 27°33′46″N 090°44′47″E / 27.56278°N 90.74639°ECoordinates: 27°33′46″N 090°44′47″E / 27.56278°N 90.74639°E
Map
BUT

Location of the airport in Bhutan

Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
14/32 1,200 3,937 Asphalt
Source: DAFIF

Bathpalathang Airport (IATA: BUT, ICAO: VQBT) is a domestic Bhutanese airport in Jakar (Bjakar), Bumthang District.[1] It began operations on 17 December 2011 with flights to Paro.[2]

Overview

The airport has been in development since the Royal Bhutanese Government's 10th Five Year Plan (2008). The airport was originally scheduled to open in October 2010,[3][4] and then delayed to November 2010.[5] By December 2010, operations were pushed back to March 2011,[6][7] then April 2011.[8] Shortages in the spring prompted a new target date of July 2011, however the airport had not yet opened for operations through late 2011.[9][10]

Airport construction at Bathpalathang met several delays, including soil instability under the runway,[5][11] funding,[12] labor and material shortages,[9] and nearby river protection and diversion,[3][13] each of which underpinned the ultimate success of any airport at the site. Despite assurances by government personnel and contractors, that the airport would be completed on time, the airport was completed significantly behind schedule.[5][13] Further complications arose from legislated land and property compensation schemes for those who were forced to relocate, to accommodate the airport.[14]

Both Drukair and Tashi Air conducted inaugural flights to Bathpalathang on 17 December 2011—coinciding with the national day of Bhutan.[2][15] The first commercial Drukair flight between Paro and Bathpalathang occurred on 23 December 2011; it failed to make a profit.[16]

Destinations

Airlines Destinations
Tashi Air Thimphu/Paro (suspended)[17]
Druk Air Thimphu/Paro, Trashigang (suspended)[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wangdi, Nima (2006-10-23). "Bumthaps Warm Up for Winter". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dorji, Gyalsten K (2011-12-19). "On Drukair's Historic Flight". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Yeshi, Samten (2010-06-02). "River Diversion Work Begins". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  4. ↑ Wangchuk, Samten (2010-06-01). "Who'll Take Wing". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Bathpalathang Airport Will not Complete on Time". Bhutan Broadcasting Service. 2010-08-14. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  6. ↑ Dorji, Gyalsten K (2009-11-26). "2 Domestic Airports by 2010". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  7. ↑ Pelden, Sonam (2010-01-08). "Groundwork Begins for Taking to the Air". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  8. ↑ Dorji, Gyalsten K (2011-02-09). "An April Beginning?". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Yeshi, Samten (2011-05-20). "Second Deadline Likely to be Missed". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  10. ↑ Tenzin, Tashi (2011-09-08). "Picture Story – So Close Yet So Far". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  11. ↑ Yeshi, Samten (2010-08-18). "Quality Outweighs Deadline". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  12. ↑ Dema, Kesang (2010-09-21). "Penalty Paid ... From One Pocket to Another". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Saraswati (2010-12-10). "Despite River Training Works, Bathpalathang Airport Will Finish on Time". Business Bhutan online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  14. ↑ Yeshi, Samten (2011-02-01). "Unresolved Land Issues in Bumthang". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  15. ↑ "Aerial photo". 2011-12-29. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  16. ↑ Dorji, Gyalsten K (2011-12-23). "Drukair's Maiden Flight Fails to Break Even". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  17. ↑ Dorji, Gyalsten (October 3, 2013). "Tashi's Airbus A320 lands". Kuensel Online. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Yonphula airport shuts down earlier than planned". KuenselOnline. Retrieved 12 December 2014.