| Bathpalathang Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: none – ICAO: none
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| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Government | ||
| Serves | Jakar, Bhutan | ||
| Elevation AMSL | ft / 2,700 m | ||
| Coordinates | 27°33′57″N 90°43′55″E / 27.56583°N 90.73194°E | ||
Bathpalathang Airport is a domestic Bhutanese airport in Jakar (Bjakar), Bumthang District.[1] It began operations on 17 December 2011 with flights to Paro.[2]
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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 23rd December 2011; it failed to make a profit.[16]
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Druk Air | Paro |
| Tashi Air | Paro[17] |
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