Bhutan’s Drukair Orders Airbus A320neo & A321XLR, Plans Long Haul Flights

In July 2024, a letter of intent was signed for a pretty cool niche aircraft order. This order has now been finalized, and it has some major implications for the country. However, there’s one major catch…

Drukair refreshes fleet with new Airbus jets

Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines is the national carrier of Bhutan, which is one of the coolest countries in the world, if you ask me. The airline has just finalized an aircraft order with Airbus, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed several months back.

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The airline plans to pick up five Airbus A320-family aircraft. This includes three Airbus A320neos and two Airbus A321XLRs. Now, we’ll have to be patient, as delivery of these jets is only expected to start in 2030.

For context, Drukair’s fleet currently consists of four Airbus aircraft, including three Airbus A319s (an average of just over 16 years old) and one Airbus A320neo (just over four years old).

It seems pretty clear that Drukair plans on refreshing and growing its fleet, as these new aircraft will be much more capable:

• The A320neo is more fuel efficient, higher capacity, and has better range, than the A319 that it replaces
• The A321XLR is Airbus’ new long range jet that could allow the airline to introduce long haul flights, and it’s larger than any plane that Drukair currently flies

While it has nothing to do with this aircraft order, I can’t write about Drukair without linking to the carrier’s epic Jerusalema dance challenge video.

How Drukair plans to use its new Airbus jets

Currently Drukair flies internationally exclusively out of Paro International Airport (PBH), known for being one of the world’s most challenging airports.

While the newly ordered A320neos will fly out of Paro Airport, the country has other plans as well. Specifically, there’s a new airport in Gelephu Mindfulness City, which is expected to be Bhutan’s new futuristic economic hub.

That’s where the country eventually plans on moving most of its air service, especially since the airport should be a bit easier to fly out of. The plan is to base the A321XLRs out of the new airport, because Paro actually can’t accommodate those jets.

Now, I’ve gotta say, this whole thing seems like a really optimistic project that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before. Then again, Bhutan is also kind of unlike anywhere else on earth, so…

The airline plans to use these planes to also fly out of that airport, and to offer nonstop flights to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Here’s how Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk describes these plans:

“We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter in Drukair’s history, which dovetails perfectly with development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City and work to expand the Gelephu airport. Our investment in these state-of-the-art aircraft underscores our dedication to supporting Bhutan’s vision of holistic and mindful development.”

The catch is that in the event that this project doesn’t move forward as planned (or with the timeline that’s hoped), Drukair has the option of converting the A321XLRs into A320neos. After all, the airline wouldn’t be able to fly the A321XLRs out of its current international airport, and that’s kind of an issue.

Bottom line

Drukair has finalized its fleet renewal plans, as the airline intends to add five Airbus A320-family aircraft to its fleet, though the planes will only start to join the fleet in 2030. This order includes three A320neos and two A321XLRs, which will allow the airline to not only expand capacity, but also to launch long haul flights.

I loved my visit to Bhutan several years ago, and can’t wait to visit again when the new economic capital opens, and when the airline has A321XLRs! The catch is that if the new economic capital doesn’t work out, the airline will convert those A321XLR orders into A320neos.

What do you make of Drukair’s Airbus aircraft order?