Legendary Airport · Bhutan
Paro: The Airport Only a Few Dozen Pilots May Fly Into
Most airline pilots can fly into almost any major airport in the world after normal training. Paro, in Bhutan, is different. Only a small group of specially certified pilots is allowed to land there. One widely reported count in 2023 put the number at just 24.
The reason is the setting. Paro sits in a narrow valley in the Himalayas, at an elevation of about 2,235 metres (7,333 feet). The surrounding ridges climb far higher, with peaks in the region reaching well over 5,000 metres. There’s no straight, gentle path down to the runway. Aircraft have to follow the valley itself.
Why the approach is flown by hand
At most big airports, pilots can rely on an Instrument Landing System: radio beams that guide the aircraft down a straight, steady slope to the runway, even in cloud. Paro’s terrain doesn’t allow that kind of straight-in approach. Instead, pilots fly a visual approach: they navigate by looking at the ground, following the winding valley and making turns between the slopes.
The runway often only comes into full view late in the approach, after the final turn. Pilots then have to set the aircraft up for landing quickly and precisely. That’s why flights operate in daylight only, and why weather matters so much: if the valley is clouded in, the flight waits or doesn’t go.
The real numbers
Paro in figures
2,235m
Airport elevation
About 7,333 feet above sea level
2,265m
Runway length
About 7,431 feet
Daylight
Operations only
The approach needs pilots to see the terrain
~24
Certified pilots
A widely reported 2023 count
Thin air makes it harder
Altitude adds a second challenge that passengers never see. At over 2,000 metres the air is noticeably thinner. Wings produce less lift and engines produce less thrust than they would at sea level. Aircraft therefore need to fly faster over the ground to land and take off, which uses more runway and leaves less margin, all on a runway hemmed in by mountains. Weight and temperature limits are calculated carefully for every flight.
Why so few pilots
Keeping the group small is a safety choice, not a quirk. Pilots who fly into Paro train specifically for this approach and build up experience on it before they’re allowed to fly it with passengers. A small, highly practised group means every person at the controls knows the valley, its winds and its weather patterns intimately.
For passengers, the result is one of the most memorable arrivals anywhere: mountainsides and monasteries passing by the window, then a sudden runway and a gentle stop. It’s a reminder that some airports are defined not by their terminals, but by the skill it takes to reach them.
Sources & Further Reading
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pilots are allowed to land at Paro?
Only a small number of specially certified pilots, mostly from Bhutan’s two airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Reports put the figure at a few dozen; one widely cited count in 2023 was 24.
Can you fly into Paro at night?
No. Flights operate in daylight only, because the approach depends on the pilots being able to see the terrain around them.
Which airlines fly to Paro?
Bhutan’s two airlines, Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines, operate scheduled services, with routes to cities in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Singapore among others.
Is it safe to fly into Paro?
Yes. The restrictions are what keep it safe: a small group of pilots, specific training, daylight and good-weather rules, and aircraft chosen for the conditions. Passengers mostly remember the view.
Where should I sit to see the mountains?
There is no guaranteed side, because the aircraft follows the valley and turns on the way in. Many travellers say the views are dramatic from either side; booking a window seat is what matters.