USD 6.9M to improve domestic airports

A significant chunk of the ADB grant will go into developing the Yonphula runway

In what should provide some relief to the aviation sector’s perpetual budget shortcomings, civil aviation department has received USD 6.9M Asian Development Bank (ADB) grant to improve all three domestic airports.

A significant portion of the grant would be spent on Yonphula airport in Trashigang.

Civil aviation officials said they plan to remove a hill or a hump on the Yonphula runway.

The flight safety division of the national airline, had earlier this year, stated in a report that the hump was causing long term structural damage to Drukair’s ATR 42-500 aircraft.

Flattening the runway will result in the runway’s slope decreasing significantly from its current 3.8 percent. 

While Drukair’s ATR can safely operate on runways sloping up to 4.5 percent, according to information on the aircraft manufacturer’s website, safety margin is increased with a lower slope.

The airline’s flight safety division had also pointed out the presence of two hillocks on either side of the approach end of the runway that required removal as aircraft could experience 90-degree crosswinds during approach.

Civil aviation’s chief administrative officer Karma Wangchuk said with the ADB grant now in possession, the hillocks would be completely removed. Both hillocks were only partially removed as a result of budget constraints.

Drukair flight safety officials also pointed out that having only one approach and takeoff end was not in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.

Karma Wangchuk said providing two ends to the runway was not possible given the geography and environmental regulations. 

But he pointed out that the runway would be extended by at least 50m, either under the ADB grant or the 11th plan. 

The current length of the Yonphula runway is 1,300m, of which 1,145m is required for Drukair’s ATR aircraft to land under a limited load.

Additionally, the grant will also be used to completely resurface the entire runway. 

Since its construction by the Indian army in the 1960s, the runway has only undergone patch repair works. 

A joint inspection carried out this year found cracks developing as a result of flight operations and recommendations were that the entire runway needed resurfacing, which could not be done all this while because of budget shortcomings.

Airport improvements undertaken using the ADB grant is scheduled for completion between 2013-2016.

Meanwhile, the second phase of patchwork repair of the Yonphula runway has been completed and civil aviation officials declared the airport open. 

A Drukair test flight will determine when the airport’s scheduled operations will recommence. 

The ADB grant will also be used to provide required infrastructure at the country’s other two domestic airports. 

This will include a taxi way and an apron (parking for aircraft) at Batpalathang airport in Bumthang and a terminal building and security fencing for Gelephu airport in Sarpang.

The information and communications ministry is currently sorting out what other priority requirements would receive funding from the ADB grant. 

By Gyalsten K Dorji, Paro