Drukair Takes Delivery of Latest Generation ATR 42-600

October 26^th 2019

Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines welcomes into its fleet the ATR 42-600 making Drukair the first operator to benefit from the advantages of Clear Vision System (CVS) which generates images of terrain and obstacles using extensive database.

The Clear Vision System uses infrared cameras to generate images of surrounding landscape even if the weather conditions are adverse and even at night. These images are super imposed on the existing GIS terrain data to generate a synthetic clear image of the terrain. With the help of GPS, the terrain information is updated to real time. This technically improves pilot’s situational awareness and provides pilots with enhanced vision, which we hope will decrease the cancellation of flights.

Registered as JNW in honor of our beloved Gyalsey, the brand new aircraft will arrive Paro International Airport at 10:00AM from France, Toulouse via New Delhi.

The aircraft will complement our existing fleet of three airbus A319s while substituting the existing ATR 42-500.

Drukair has been operating the ATR 42-500 since 2011.The aircraft is 16 years old, which is one of the reasons Drukair decided to replace the aircraft.

Her Royal Highness Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck has consented to be the Chief Guest for the event along with other important dignitaries from various organizations will also be present for the event.

The existing ATR has a total capacity of 48 seats in economy class. However, Drukair can only carry on an average 30-35 passengers because of the payload restriction out of airports in Bhutan due to altitude and obstacles around the airport.

The following are some additional features offered by the new aircraft;

The new ATR has a glass cockpit, which means that there is a significant change from analog to digital with improved and much advanced instrument system.

The ATR fitted with Clear Vision System on nose (CVS) is designed for low visibility, which is expected to minimize cancellations due to weather.

This aircraft is configuredwith 40 seats of which 8 are business class and 32 are economy class. The reduction in number ofseats compared to the existing ATR will allow Drukair to carry more passengers as the extra load from the reduced seats can be translated to passenger load.

This also means, Drukair will be able to provide business class on its domestic sectors.

The new ATR 42-600 that costs around USD 18.5 million will be used mostly on the airline’s domestic and regional international routes. Drukair has acquired this aircraft with debt-to-equity ratio of 70:30. For the debt Drukair has borrowed around USD 13 million from SDF. The loan has been possible because the ATR will also be servicing the nearby SAARC countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and India.

Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair said:“Drukair would like to thank the RGoB for its support by providing sovereign guarantee for the loan from SDFand also interest subsidy on the loan which has helped Drukair deliver better regional and domestic connectivity.The safety, convenience and comfort of our commuters are what continue to drive and motivate the Drukair team. We wish nothing but the best for our clients.”

Drukair Media Relations:

Jamyang Choden