Future of domestic air services in Bhutan
The domestic air service in Bhutan is not quite successful. The government had postponed the plans several times on pretext of good preparations. When it came into enforcement, government words turned out to be hoax and hindrances seen thereafter clearly indicated that there had never been enough homework and preparation to start the services.
In its effort to promote domestic companies, the government chose Bhutan Airlines against bigger and international airline companies to run domestic air services. Bhutan Airlines, which was given authority to run international flights as well to subsidise the domestic services withdrew from delivering services after six months. The company failed to get enough passengers for its 8 seater turboprop. After carrying 336 passengers in six months’ time, Bhutan Airlines, operated by Tashi Group, announced to withheld the services until October next year.
The government could say nothing because a private company cannot operate under continuous loss. Shortly after the national flag carrier Druk Airlines also suspended its domestic flights. Though domestic flight fares of Druk Air is little less than the other, the national flag carrier subsidised the loss through international flights.
Despite that poor quality of pitch in newly built airports forced it to halt the services. Reports say, runway pitch in both airports in Bumthang and Trashigang have been damaged to such condition that it could pose danger to the flights.
The government has not spoken anything why the airports were built with such low quality materials. No questions have been raised, by public or by the media, if it was due to ignorance by the company entrusted to build the airport or if the government had allocated limited amount.
This has opened doors for speculations if these damaged airports would be built to withstand flight-thrusts in future.
On the other hand, long proposed airport in Gelephu again failed to meet its deadline. Once publicised for an international airport, the Gelephu airport was to come into operations by April this year. Now, with all domestic flights off the ground, Gelephu airport could have given no benefits. At the same time, the government knowingly wishes to delay the operation of domestic air services in Gelephu to avoid foreigners coming here.
Foreigners coming to Gelephu will divert income of the northerners to southerners and they might be able to screw off the untold stories of suppressions that remained silent since 1990. There are no reasons to be optimistic that government will bring Gelephu airport in near future.
Latest news say, domestic air services are expected to resume by September this year but it will be only that of Druk Airlines. Until a viable market is found and more Bhutanese get used to with flying in planes, Bhutan Airlines will find other excuses to halt its services.