In July 2024, a letter of intent was signed for a reasonably cool area of interest plane order. This order has now been finalized, and it has some main implications for the nation. Nevertheless, there’s one main catch…
Drukair refreshes fleet with new Airbus jets
Drukair Royal Bhutan Airways is the nationwide provider of Bhutan, which is without doubt one of the coolest international locations on the earth, in case you ask me. The airline has simply finalized an plane order with Airbus, based mostly on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed a number of months again.
The airline plans to choose up 5 Airbus A320-family plane. This contains three Airbus A320neos and two Airbus A321XLRs. Now, we’ll must be affected person, as supply of those jets is simply anticipated to begin in 2030.
For context, Drukair’s fleet at present consists of 4 Airbus plane, together with three Airbus A319s (a median of simply over 16 years outdated) and one Airbus A320neo (simply over 4 years outdated).
It appears fairly clear that Drukair plans on refreshing and rising its fleet, as these new plane will likely be far more succesful:
- The A320neo is extra gasoline environment friendly, increased capability, and has higher vary, than the A319 that it replaces
- The A321XLR is Airbus’ new lengthy vary jet that might enable the airline to introduce lengthy haul flights, and it’s bigger than any airplane that Drukair at present flies
Whereas it has nothing to do with this plane order, I can’t write about Drukair with out linking to the provider’s epic Jerusalema dance problem video.
How Drukair plans to make use of its new Airbus jets
Presently Drukair flies internationally solely out of Paro Worldwide Airport (PBH), recognized for being one of many world’s most difficult airports.
Whereas the newly ordered A320neos will fly out of Paro Airport, the nation has different plans as nicely. Particularly, there’s a brand new airport in Gelephu Mindfulness Metropolis, which is predicted to be Bhutan’s new futuristic financial hub.
That’s the place the nation finally plans on transferring most of its air service, particularly because the airport must be a bit simpler to fly out of. The plan is to base the A321XLRs out of the brand new airport, as a result of Paro really can’t accommodate these jets.
Now, I’ve gotta say, this complete factor looks as if a extremely optimistic mission that’s not like something we’ve seen earlier than. Then once more, Bhutan can be type of not like anyplace else on earth, so…
The airline plans to make use of these planes to additionally fly out of that airport, and to supply nonstop flights to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Right here’s how Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk describes these plans:
“We’re thrilled to embark on this new chapter in Drukair’s historical past, which dovetails completely with growth of the Gelephu Mindfulness Metropolis and work to increase the Gelephu airport. Our funding in these state-of-the-art plane underscores our dedication to supporting Bhutan’s imaginative and prescient of holistic and aware growth.”
The catch is that within the occasion that this mission doesn’t transfer ahead as deliberate (or with the timeline that’s hoped), Drukair has the choice of changing the A321XLRs into A320neos. In any case, the airline wouldn’t be capable to fly the A321XLRs out of its present worldwide airport, and that’s type of a problem.
Backside line
Drukair has finalized its fleet renewal plans, because the airline intends so as to add 5 Airbus A320-family plane to its fleet, although the planes will solely begin to be a part of the fleet in 2030. This order contains three A320neos and two A321XLRs, which is able to enable the airline to not solely increase capability, but additionally to launch lengthy haul flights.
I beloved my go to to Bhutan a number of years in the past, and may’t wait to go to once more when the brand new financial capital opens, and when the airline has A321XLRs! The catch is that if the brand new financial capital doesn’t work out, the airline will convert these A321XLR orders into A320neos.
What do you make of Drukair’s Airbus plane order?
