In a significant development for international travel, Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines has officially launched a new flight route connecting Paro, Gelephu, and Kolkata. This exciting service, which began on December 8, 2025, utilizes the ATR42-600 aircraft to facilitate this journey. Notably, this marks the inaugural international scheduled service at Gelephu, offering travelers a new gateway into Bhutan's beautiful landscapes and rich culture. The flights will operate twice a week, providing convenient access for both local and international passengers.
The flight schedule is as follows:
- KB210 departs from Paro (PBH) at 11:00 AM, arriving in Gelephu (GLU) at 11:40 AM, and then continues to Kolkata (CCU), reaching there by 1:10 PM.
- KB211 takes off from Kolkata at 1:50 PM, landing in Gelephu at 3:30 PM, before returning to Paro at 4:30 PM.
However, it’s worth noting that the nonstop service from Paro to Kolkata is being reduced from three weekly flights to just one for the remainder of December 2025.
Jim Liu, the founder and operator of AeroRoutes, previously managed Airlineroute from 2007 to 2020. His expertise in aviation reporting is now channeled into AeroRoutes, where he continues to provide valuable insights into the industry. For more information on flight schedules and operations, you can visit AeroRoutes.
This new route could significantly enhance tourism and trade opportunities in Bhutan, but it also raises questions. Will this increase in air traffic lead to environmental concerns, or could it be the economic boost that Bhutan needs? We invite you to share your thoughts below! What do you think about the balance between tourism growth and environmental preservation?
