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Bhutan Drukair |
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Bhutan Information |
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| June 2012 |
| No more Drukair flights to Yonphula … for now |
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The state of the runway poses a safety risk; Batpalathang (Bumthang) may be next
In a setback to domestic air services, the national airline Drukair has suspended flights to Yonphula airport, as a result of safety concerns, given the deteriorating surface condition of the runway there.Drukair is also awaiting a safety report of the Batpalathang runway, to determine whether it will continue flying to Bumthang.
An inspection team found cracks developing, and pebbles coming loose on the surface of the Yonphula runway, earlier this month.The team, comprising the department of civil aviation (DCA), Drukair, and COSCAP (Co-operative development of operational safety and continuing airworthiness programme) officials, also found cracks and "pea-sized" gravel coming loose on the Batpalathang runway.
Despite the reported conditions, DCA did not suspend domestic flight operations.It did, however, introduce measures at both airports that included daily inspections and instructions to ‘sweep’ or remove dislodged or loosened pebbles and gravel.This measure would be in place until the runways are repaired or resurfaced.
However, Drukair CEO Tandin Jamso, said that safety is still a concern.He said that Drukair’s safety and quality officers, who were included in the inspecting team, observed and reported that the Yonphula runway is "unsafe".
He pointed out that dislodged stones or pebbles mean that gaps or holes are being created, which, in turn means that sharp edges will exist.He added that, as the Yonphula runway is short and requires a precise landing, a harder than normal touchdown is carried out by the airline’s ATR 42-500 aircraft.With sharp edges, a hard landing could lead to a tire puncture, he said.
In an earlier interview with DCA senior aerodrome officer, Sangay Wangdi, it was also pointed out that the aircraft’s engine propeller blades could sustain damage, as a result of loose material on the runway.
Tandin Jamso also said that concerns about the rough nature of the Yonphula runway surface had also been expressed prior to the inspection.He pointed out that the runway has not been resurfaced since it was built in the 1950s, and that it should receive one more layer. "Over a period of time, it could lead to a safety issue," he said, if not resurfaced.
Only 700m of the 1,300m runway received major repairs in the lead up to domestic air services launch in December last year.The remaining portion did not receive major repair work, because of lack of funds.This portion is the area the cracks and dislodged pebbles have been discovered.
Tandin Jamso said that Drukair is aware of the budget constraints. "But from the safety point of view, we can’t compromise," he said.He added that, given that this is the lean tourist season, and with monsoon weather conditions at Yonphula not always adequate for flight operations, suspension of air services provides DCA with the "perfect opportunity" to address the runway surface conditions, before the next tourist season beginning September.
"We’re already getting a lot of queries and bookings for that, so it’s a concern that we have that, during the peak season, if (the runway) isn’t ready, then we wouldn’t be able to fulfill those requirements of those tour operators bookings," he said.
Drukair will continue operating to Batpalathang airport for now.But Tandin Jamso said that there are "some concerns" about the Batpalathang runway as well.He said that further operations to the airport will be determined by another runway surface condition report it expects from DCA.
DCA informed this paper last week that the inspection team determined that a layer of asphalt concrete is required for Batpalathang, and that, without it, the runway is not expected to last beyond the present monsoon.
On the nearly completed Gelephu airport, Tandin Jamso said that it is hoped that the runway is allowed an adequate time to set.He added that the present problems, being experienced, are also a result of being in a "hurry".
Based on information provided by DCA to this paper last week, the information and communications ministry has instructed DCA carry out "patchwork" of critical areas of the Yonphula runway by June-July.As of last week, DCA was looking for available budget.
The officiating head of DCA could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, the country’s first privately owned aircraft belonging to Tashi Air pvt ltd’s Bhutan Airlines, left the country on Wednesday.It has been ferried to the UK to be sold in order to raise enough funds, so that the airline can commence international services by October-November.
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| A leak in the ATR 42-500's hydraulic system is the latest technical problem to plague the twin turbo propeller aircraft. "As per engineering department, ATR is having hydraulic break system leak," said Drukair CEO, Tandin Jamso. He acknowledged that the problem was serious enough to ground the 48-seater aircraft. The hydraulic system is required, among others, to utilise the aircraft's wheel brakes.
The aircraft is expected to be grounded until Wednesday, according to the CEO. Spare parts from the USA are scheduled to arrive on that day.
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But with the project now issued rupees, it received its first stock of bitumen, 100MT from Guwahati yesterday, to start off with the black topping. Works will begin today.
While the terminal buildings and concrete fencing walls surrounding the airport and other remaining works would continue as per schedule, the levelling of earth surrounding the runway would be done only when they have the budget.
Gelephu domestic airport, with a 1,500m long runway, is likely to extend to 2,000m ,and later upgraded to an international airport.
"If everything goes well like it's today, we'd be able to inaugurate the runway by the first week of May," DCA's director general Phala Dorji said.
| Source: Gyalsten K Dorji, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2012 |
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| June 2012 |
| Year-end charter flights to South Korea likely |
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National airline Drukair may conduct a number of charter flights to South Korea, towards the end of this year.
Drukair CEO, Tandin Jamso, said that chartered flights to the east Asian country are being contemplated.He said that Drukair is studying the South Korean market, and also receiving feedback from tour operators there.
He said that, if the traffic is significant, Drukair would work closely with South Korean tour operators to conduct charter flights.
Bhutan had 407 South Korean visitors in 2011, a 124 percent growth from the previous year, according to the Bhutan tourism monitor annual report 2011.
The chartered flights, if found feasible, are most likely to occur in December.
This market strategy follows a decision to carry out up to seven charted flights to Tokyo, Japan in August this year.A total of 3,943 Japanese visited Bhutan, last year.Compared to 2010, this represented a 33 percent growth.
Chartered flights will also be carried out to Bangalore, India, upon acquiring a third airbus jet, prior to launching scheduled services in 2013.
Meanwhile, Tandin Jamso pointed out that Drukair is still negotiating with some companies over leasing its third airbus jet.He said that the airline expects it to arrive in August.
| Source: Gyalsten K Dorji, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2012 |
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