Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines has ordered an Airbus A319 with Sharklets, the airframer’s new wingtip-mounted fuel savings devices.
The new jet, with a list price of $80.7 million, will complement the Bhutan government-owned carrier’s existing fleet of two A319s.
Perched on the eastern end of the Himalayas and nestled between India and China, Bhutan is a small, landlocked country with a growing reliance on air service. Drukair’s hub at Paro Airport sits at an elevation of 7,000 ft, and is accessible only by a visual approach, making it one of the most challenging in the world.
“We are delighted to be ordering the Airbus A319 equipped with fuel saving Sharklets,” said Dasho Sonam Tshering Drukair Chairman, in a statement. “The addition of a third A319 will enable us to increase capacity and open up new direct routes and to welcome even more visitors to our landlocked country where aviation really is our gateway to the world. Its economic importance cannot be overestimated.”
Drukair plans to expand its existing routes within the region and add new service to Singapore and Hong Kong using the new aircraft.
