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Paro International Airport poses unique challenges for pilots

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Paro International Airport poses unique challenges for pilots
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The Kingdom of Bhutan, located in the eastern Himalayas near Nepal, Tibet, and India, is known for its remote location and unique culture. This combination has made it a popular destination for adventurous travelers. Tourism in Bhutan has increased by an average of 10% annually over the past decade, with more than 500,000 visitors expected this year.

However, reaching Bhutan is not without challenges. The flight into Paro International Airport (PBH) is considered one of the most difficult in the world. Only about 50 pilots are qualified to land there due to the complexity of the approach. The airport's setting in a deep valley surrounded by peaks as high as 18,000 feet requires precise maneuvers from pilots.

Paro International Airport is Bhutan's only international airport and features a single terminal and a short runway just over 7,000 feet long. The approach involves descending through the Paro River valley and making sharp turns to align with the runway.

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Several factors contribute to Paro's reputation as a challenging airport. Its elevation at 7,364 feet affects aircraft performance due to density altitude. Pilots must also navigate visually without radar or ILS guidance. Additionally, weather conditions such as anabatic and katabatic winds can complicate landings.

Captain Chimi Dorji of Drukair describes landing at Paro as "difficult but not dangerous" for experienced pilots. He emphasizes that pilots need local skills and knowledge, which are developed through extensive training specific to flying into Paro.

Pilots approved to land at Paro undergo rigorous training that includes simulator tests and practical experience under supervision before they can fly unsupervised.

Two airlines operate flights into Paro: Drukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines and Bhutan Airlines. Drukair was founded in 1981 and operates a small fleet including ATR 42-600s and Airbus A319s/A320neos on various regional routes. Bhutan Airlines began operations in 2011 with two ex-China Eastern A319s serving routes via Kolkata and Kathmandu.

For those interested in challenging airports beyond Paro, options include Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal, Saba Airport in the Dutch Caribbean, Courchevel Altiport in France, and Madeira Airport in Portugal.

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