Bhutan Airlines (B3, Paro) has acquired an A319-100, A5-BAB (cn 1541), from Irish lessor, SMBC Aviation Capital. The former China Eastern Airlines (MU, Shanghai Hongqiao) aircraft will replace the carrier's current equipment, an A320-200, LY-SPB (cn 2987), on wet-lease from Lithuanian ACMI specialist, Small Planet Airlines (Vilnius).
Airline commercial director, Ugyen Tenzin, told the Bhutanese media that a second aircraft, on lease from SMBC Aviation Capital, will arrive in September and will allow the carrier to boost its network to include Delhi International and Kathmandu.
At present, Bhutan Airlines serves Kolkata and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi from its Paro hub.
