Drukair (KB, Paro) has taken delivery of its only ATR42-600. A5-JNW (msn 1412) was ferried from Toulouse Blagnac to Paro via Heraklion over the course of October 23/24.

Purchase of the new-guild turboprop was made possible by a USD13 million grant from the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) which covered 70% of the aircraft's overall cost.

In Bhutan, it will replace Drukair's other ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop, the 20-year-old ATR42-500 A5-RGH (msn 622).

“Drukair is grateful to RGoB (Royal Government of Bhutan), Royal Monetary Authority and the SDF for financing the replacement of the existing ATR42-500 with a state-of-the-art ATR42-600, which will enhance safety and reliability of operations both in the domestic and regional sectors. This complements our plans and efforts in expanding and enhancing the fleet. The new ATR with enhanced features will join our fleet within this September and the new additional Airbus A320-200neo will join during the first quarter of 2020,” Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk said in a statement.

Drukair also operates three owned A319-100s.

Wholly-owned by the Bhutanese government, Drukair's international network currently includes services to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Kathmandu, Delhi International, Guwahati, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Dhaka, and Singapore Changi. As previously reported, the A320neo's arrival will also allow the carrier to extend its network to other more far off destinations including Dubai International, Tokyo Narita, and Mumbai International.