Gelephu International Airport: Bhutan's New Prospect

Geared to receive more tourists and to improve its economy, Bhutan’s upcoming international airport Gelephu is what the nation needs.

Bjarke Ingels Group has unveiled the design for Gelephu International Airport. Image: Bjarke Ingels Group.

In 2023, Bhutan welcomed 103,000 tourists, approximately two-thirds fewer than the pre-pandemic peak recorded in 2019. The new target, given a more diverse consumer base, is to promptly achieve over 300,000 annual visitors.

 Last year's crucial initial measure was the reduction of the obligatory daily sustainable development tax to USD 100 per adult, effective until August 31, 2027. The global pandemic profoundly disrupted the tourism industry, which continues to struggle with recovery from the COVID-19 mandates. A representative for Bhutan tourism remarked, “We assert that the tourism sector plays a crucial role in creating employment, generating foreign exchange, and enhancing overall economic growth.”

 Independent travelers can now plan their journeys more efficiently and economize due to a new official booking platform. At least fifty percent of the nation's tourists need to originate from non-Asian markets, such as the United States, Europe, and Australia; in the last complete year preceding the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, about seventy-three percent of all arrivals were from Indian tourists.

Happiest Country In The World

The airport’s interior will feature traditional Bhutanese motifs and patterns. Image: Bjarke Ingels Group.

This country is globally recognized for its Gross National Happiness Index (GNH), which assesses individuals' well-being across various dimensions, including health, living conditions, and the preservation of culture and environment. The government aspires to be the inaugural carbon-negative nation in history.

 Despite its apprehension over the repercussions of mass tourism and its ongoing prohibition of mountain climbing to preserve the sanctity of its summits, the nation is diligently striving to enhance visitor influx and elevate the contribution of tourism to its USD 3 billion economy from 5 percent to 20 percent.

 The notion influences various aspects of Bhutanese society, encompassing environmental conservation, economic development, and government. The nation's dedication to maintaining forest cover and achieving carbon negativity underscores its potential as a leader in global ecological management. A 2024 Reuters article states that 50,000 Bhutanese are employed in the tourism sector, which generated USD 84 million in foreign exchange revenues three years prior to the pandemic.

 The country's vast vistas of the Himalayan mountains and its cliffside Buddhist temples draw travelers annually. Bhutan is progressively enhancing its infrastructure for tourism and connectivity.

Spanking-New Airport

The forthcoming construction of a new international airport in Gelephu, situated in the southern region of the country, is poised to bolster the national economy and tourism sector. This significant endeavor seeks to facilitate access for travelers to this enigmatic destination.

 Alongside Paro International Airport, the planned Gelephu International Airport will function as Bhutan's second international airport. Located in the Sarpang District, Gelephu's strategic closeness to the Indian border renders it an ideal center for enhancing regional connectivity. The projected expenditure for the project is approximately Nu 20 billion, equivalent to USD 240 million. The inauguration of Gelephu International Airport in 2029 will transform travel within the Himalayan empire. The design is a collaboration with Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO).

Choice Location

It’s no surprise that Gelephu was the choice location, all thanks to the topography, which allows for longer runways that can handle larger aircraft. Due to its proximity to India, Gelephu, Bhutan’s leading trading and diplomatic partner, is ideally situated for rail and road connections.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan has spearheaded the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative. “This airport is essential for the success of the GMC as a business hub, and it is also a critical lifeline for Bhutan’s national security, especially for a landlocked country,” said the Bhutanese King.

With a population of roughly 750,000, the nation is geared as a pioneer in “high value, low impact” tourism. The USD 100 daily sustainable development tax that visitors must pay supports Bhutan’s public services, including health care and education.

Mindful Travel

This initiative is a crucial component of the USD 100 billion Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project, which seeks to incorporate ecological balance and spiritual fulfillment into urban development to tackle economic challenges, including as youth unemployment and decreasing birth rates.

 The innovative design, with tropical trees that provide natural shade throughout the structure, will allow tourists to appreciate Bhutan’s natural environment upon arrival. A forest courtyard that integrates the outdoors with the indoors will be the centerpiece for the airport's essential operational components, including immigration, security, and luggage handling.

 Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of the architectural company BIG, which is spearheading the airport's design, states, “An airport is the first and last impression of a location you visit.” In the design of Gelephu International Airport, we have endeavored to reflect the nation's essence and the ethos of the Mindfulness City. The woodlands encompassing the highlands can extend from the arrival plaza through the airport to the tarmac.

 The building employs modular mass timber frames, facilitating flexibility and potential expansion. The airport's silhouette will merge with the surrounding landscape, resembling a stylized mountain range from afar.

 Each of the four zones in the arrival plaza will have indigenous plant species surrounding seating areas for travelers to relax.

 The facility will provide intricate traditional carvings and hues, producing elements that enhance its identity. Various types of dragons, symbolizing the past, present, and future, will be integrated into the decorative elements. This spiritual component underscores the nation's heritage while portraying it as forward-thinking.

 The "Kachen," a timber pillar in traditional Bhutanese architecture esteemed for its structural importance and fine artistic details, will influence the distinctive attributes of the new institution, including elaborately painted wood carvings crafted by local artisans.

Accommodating Bigger Aircraft

The airport's architecture will accommodate aircraft such as the Airbus A320, A321, and A350. The proposed runway is around 3,500 meters, accommodating larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

 Gelephu International Airport encompasses an area of 731,946 square feet, with the capacity to serve 1.3 million passengers annually and facilitate 123 flights daily. While these figures are modest in comparison to prominent airports like as London Heathrow or New York's JFK, the arrival of 316,000 people in 2019 represents a notable achievement for this landlocked nation.

 International travelers arrive at Paro International Airport (PBH), located near Thimphu, the capital. Due to its challenging position between two Himalayan peaks, intense monsoon winds, and insufficient runway lighting, only a limited number of small aircraft can operate in and out of Paro each day. These flights are all short-haul routes from adjacent Asian cities such as Bangkok and New Delhi.

 Bhutan's economy is significantly reliant on tourism, which produces substantial jobs and government revenue. The nation's tourism policy is "High-Value, Low-Impact" to save its unspoiled nature and abundant cultural heritage.

 The recent announcement of the new Gelephu Airport is poised to augment tourism in Bhutan through its “high value, low impact” strategy, promoting environmentally responsible and sustainable travel. This expansion will propel the hotel business, fostering sustainable accommodations, wellness amenities, and cultural events for discerning travelers. Bhutan's airport exemplifies the harmonious integration of traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainability. This astute amalgamation of heritage with eco-friendly innovation renders Bhutan a more sustainable and remarkable tourism destination.