Drukair Expands Fleet with Airbus A320neo and A321XLR

: Jul 23, 2024 - : 3:21 am

Drukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national carrier of Bhutan, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to acquire three A320neo and two A321XLR aircraft. This strategic move aims to expand Drukair's international network. The new aircraft are...

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The new aircraft are expected to be delivered starting in 2030. Drukair plans to operate these aircraft from Paro International Airport and the upcoming airport at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), envisioned as Bhutan’s future economic hub. From these locations, the airline intends to enhance connectivity to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Currently, Drukair operates a fleet of four Airbus A320 Family aircraft, including three A319s and one A320.

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

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, remarked: “We are grateful to Drukair for reaffirming their trust in Airbus to power their next phase of growth. Airbus has been a long-standing partner of Bhutan and we are extremely proud that our latest generation aircraft will be a part of the Kingdom’s next chapter of development, connecting the Gelephu Mindfulness City to the rest of the world.”

Drukair, headquartered in Paro, Bhutan, operates scheduled flights to 10 international destinations, including five countries in South Asia, and three domestic destinations.

The A321neo, the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offers unparalleled range and performance. Featuring new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo delivers a 50% noise reduction and over 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin.

The A321XLR, the next step from the A320neo, responds to market demands for more range and payload. It offers an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, 15% more than the A321LR, with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, along with reduced NOx emissions and noise. The A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin provides a high-comfort experience for all classes, similar to long-haul wide-body aircraft, but with the cost efficiencies of a single-aisle plane. To date, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for this model.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A320 family is currently capable of operating with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims to have its aircraft 100% SAF capable by 2030.