Gelephu International Airport Takes Major Step Forward With Airfield Construction Contract
Construction of Gelephu International Airport has moved into another significant phase after the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority awarded the airfield construction contract to the Rigsar-Vajra Joint Venture. The contract covers major infrastructure including the airport runway, taxiways, aircraft parking aprons, airfield lighting and other systems required for airport operations. The planned airport is expected to become an important part of Bhutan’s future transport infrastructure and is closely linked with the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City. The airfield package is one of the two major remaining construction contracts for the airport, with the passenger terminal building and associated landside works forming the other major component.
The planned airport will feature a three-kilometre runway designed to accommodate wide-bodied commercial aircraft, together with taxiways, aircraft parking areas, an air traffic control tower, airfield ground lighting and other specialist systems. According to the reported project timeline, the airport is targeted to open alongside the passenger terminal building in December 2029. The development is expected to improve air connectivity to Bhutan and support the broader ambitions of Gelephu Mindfulness City, which is being developed as an economic and investment hub in southern Bhutan. Earthworks for the airport are already progressing, with areas expected to be handed over progressively to the airfield contractor so that the next phase of construction can begin. The project represents one of the country’s most significant infrastructure developments and is expected to have implications for tourism, investment, trade and regional connectivity in the years ahead.
The airport development is also taking place alongside the resumption of domestic operations at Gelephu Airport. Domestic flights between Gelephu and Paro resumed in September after a four-year interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drukair is currently operating flights twice a week, although officials have noted that road travel remains more economical for many passengers. The existing airport can accommodate smaller ATR aircraft, while the planned international airport is being developed with substantially larger infrastructure and long-term connectivity in mind. The combination of renewed domestic flights and the construction of a new international airport signals a broader effort to strengthen southern Bhutan’s connectivity and prepare the region for increased economic activity.
The development of Gelephu International Airport is expected to play an important role in the long-term transformation of southern Bhutan. Improved international air connectivity could make the region more accessible to visitors, investors and businesses while supporting the wider economic objectives of Gelephu Mindfulness City. As construction progresses, the project will remain closely watched because of its potential impact on tourism, employment, infrastructure and regional development. With the airfield construction contract now awarded, the airport project has entered a crucial stage as Bhutan works towards establishing a new international gateway in the south.
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