"Royal Kiss" Royal wedding in Thimphu

The highlight of the day was rolling for television crew, who were in position at the centre of Changlimithang ground with their cameras.

While it was totally unexpected, as it was unscheduled that His Majesty would deliver an address to the nation, what followed amidst spiced up the day of celebration.

Following a brief ritual for the King and the Queen, who stood on a platform, facing an adoring crowd of the capital city that filled just about every inch of the Changlimithang stadium seats, His Majesty took a microphone, coughed into his pouch before he spoke, and addressed the nation watching live the event with rapt attention.

“To mark the occasion of my marriage with the bride, maybe I should kiss her,” the King said, smiling as he did, while the lithesome figure beside him, Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, with her head slightly bowed, blushed and was shrinking.

As he kissed the queen on her right cheek, waves of applause echoed around the stadium, lavish clicks from digital SLRs went off and television cameras stayed steadily focused on the couple.

“Now, on the lips,” His Majesty said, with a short laugh that rippled into the faces of the crowd replete with bright silky dresses of all conceivable colours, who, as the King did act it out, roared with joy and pride.

The flags inscribed with the wedding logo planted on the walls that ran along Changlam fluttered just as vigorously, and giant balloons of various shades tethered to the poles with a congratulatory message from each of the 20 dzongkhags, swayed and bounced.

Following such an engaging gesture, His Majesty grew pensive just as soon.

Before continuing his address, the King and Queen lowered their scarves in front of the fourth Druk Gyalpo, and His Majesty expressed his gratitude, on behalf of Bhutanese across the nation, for the unprecedented peace, happiness and prosperity the nation was blessed with today.

“This morning, on behalf of the people of Bhutan, I thank His Majesty for dedicating his life to the people and the nation,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty also expressed his gratitude to the Royal Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, for her dedicated service to the third king, and her continuous prayers for the country’s welfare.

Calling out their names, His Majesty said the queen mothers had served his father, the fourth Druk Gyalpo, with love and affection all these years.

As has been customary with His Majesty in many of his addresses, yesterday too, the King made it a point to remind the youth of their responsibilities of taking the nation forward into the future, far more peaceful, happy and prosperous.

“I have always said that the future of our country is in your hands,” he said, adding that he married Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, so they could together build a happier and stronger nation.

“The only desire the royal couple has is our pledge to serve our people and, together, as a family, we’ll bring up children, who are better educated and more prosperous than us,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty also thanked the national executive committee, led by the prime minister, and all other people, who took great efforts to celebrate the royal wedding.

Indian ambassador Pavan K Varma said it was a fairy tale come true and a beautifully prepared wedding.

“The ceremonies revived again the tradition and culture and the young king and queen provided a window to the future of Bhutan.” he said. “The whole thing was absolutely mesmerising.”

All these momentous events were unfolding at a place, the Chamglimithang ground, which witnessed numerous epochal moments in Bhutan’s history, those that continue to shape the moments today, which subsequently will determine those of tomorrow.

Source: Kuenselonline

Royal Weeding, in Punakha Bhutan

The Royal Wedding ceremony of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck took place in the Puna Dewachen Phodrang in Punakha. Jetsun Pema was sanctified as the Queen of Kingdom of Bhutan by His Majesty the King.

The ceremony began at 4 am with the initiation of soong-chhoe prayers at the Marchen Lhakhang and Kuenra of the Punakha Dzong. His Majesty the King, escorted by the sacred retinue, arrived at the Dzong from the Royal Lingkha and lit a golden lamp and offered prayers before the Thongdroel of Zhabdrung in the first courtyard of the Dzong.

The Royal Bride was led in chhipdrel procession into the Dzong, where she lit a golden lamp before the Thongdroel, and exchanged Tashi Jel-Dhar with His Majesty the King.

The Raven Crown and the crown for the Queen of Bhutan were brought out from the Most Holy Macchen Lhakhang, along with a Golden Bumpa and the sacred five coloured dhar.

The Fourth Druk Gyalpo bestowed the sacred dhar upon the Royal Bride, sanctifying the Royal Wedding.

In the Kuenrey, The Royal Bride offered the ambrosia of eternal life, signifying her devotion to the glorious continuity of the Wangchuck Dynasty, from the Golden Bumpa, to His Majesty the King.

His Majesty then bestowed the crown of the Druk Gyal-tsuen to the Royal Bride, and Ashi Jetsun Pema, now as Druk Gyaltshuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, ascended to the throne of the Queen of Bhutan, to the left of His Majesty the King.

The ceremony at the Kunrey ended with the offering of Tashi Nga Soel, symbolic offerings to their Majesties the Queen and King of Bhutan. His Holiness the Je Khenpo, The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and members of the Royal Family and guests offered tashi khadar to the royal couple.

Their Majesties the King and Queen then joined the people of Punakha and guests in a public celebration outside the dzong.

His Majesty granted tokha to the people gathered at the celebration ground.

Source: BBS

3 Days to go for Bhutan Royal Weeding

It was a day off for the world yesterday, except for Punakha that was abuzz with an unusually large throng of Bhutanese from other parts of the country and tourists.

With just three days to go, the venue for the royal wedding, which covers some 100 acres, is abuzz with activities.

While locals were there to spruce up the venue for the year’s most anticipated event, a few Bhutanese from other parts of the country, and tourists were there to partake in and witness the country’s historic moment.

Potholes were patched, new gates erected, lawns mowed and trees watered. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 until 1907, and the first National Assembly was held here.

Among busloads of tourists were also students from some 19 schools, who had gathered at the dzong for their final cultural program rehearsals.

At the foot of the dzong, some 24 tents are already standing, stacked with cushions and chairs.

Each tent will accommodate around 40 people.

“We’re almost done with the preparations, except for some touch ups and making the gates,” Punakha dzongda Kuenzang N Tshering said. “Work on all physical structures has been completed.”

He is among some 100 people, who for the last five months have been involved in the royal wedding preparations.

“Excluding the invitees, some 10,000 Punaps are expected to attend the wedding,” he said.

Some 100 representatives from across the country will also be in Punakha to prepare the wedding feast, bringing with them their local staples.

“Each dzongkhag will prepare its own specialty,” economic affairs secretary Dasho Sonam Tshering, whose ministry is looking after the catering, said. “We’ve listed about 54 traditional items for about 1,500 people,” he said. “No imported wine or food will be served.”

Instead, besides water, drinks would comprise singchang, ara and bangchang.

The host dzongkhag will be serving ema datsi, two kinds of rice and Talo ezay (chili pickle).

Four pavilions have been built from where five dzongkhags will serve their fares.

People from some 13 dzongkhags have already arrived to prepare the feast.

Karala, 57, from Trongsa, said he and his friends would prepare ema datsi using their own flavours.

At such times, what the dzongkhag is short of is hotel rooms for guests and locals from other parts of the country to stay in.

“All guests are expected to arrange their own accommodation, because we don’t have enough hotels in Punakha,” the dzongda said.

This being a tourist season, all rooms were booked five to six months ago.

“There were just no hotel rooms when we started booking two months ago,” he said.

People from nearby dzongkhags, especially Thimphu, he said, would start early in the morning to attend the wedding, which begins at 8.30am.

Tourism Council of Bhutan website has listed four hotels in Punakha with 84 rooms.

One of the hotels, Damchen resorts said all 33 rooms are running full this whole month.

“Hotels in Wangduephodrang also have no rooms,” the dzongda said.

Arrangements have been made for those, who have to arrive early in Punakha for the wedding.

“Accommodations have been made in our offices, classrooms and halls,” he said.

Canopies and shades from bamboos and wooden benches have also been built for people.

In the last two weeks, a sawmill operator, Kinzang said he had sawn about a truckload of logs into planks for the benches.

Chairmen of the nine committees formed for the wedding, the cabinet ministers, along with the prime minister, were also in Punakha yesterday to see the preparations.

“The media committee, which will be taking care of the 150 foreign media personnel, were also here to familiarise with the area.”

With no place for cars to move around, the dzongda said he has lost almost 10kg from walking.

“My belt for the patang (sword) is big for me now,” he quipped.

Source: Kuenselonline

Thimphu Festival: Dance of Lord of Cremation Ground

To the average spectator, the Dance of the Lord of the Cremation Ground or Dhurdag chham is a skeleton at work. But this dance, with the least number of participants, four dancers, is among the deities that protect the Buddha Dharma.

They are highly regarded in tantric practices, and are the guards of the eight cremation grounds, situated on the edges of the cosmic diagram or the mandala.

According to Kinzang Dorji, who teaches mask dances at the institute of language and culture studies in Semtokha, Dhurdag is the emanation of Pelden Lhamo, the main protective deity of Bhutan. “Pelden Lhamo manifests in the form of Dhurdag, when she serves as the lord of endowments in Tantarayana,” he said.

There are two different versions of the dhurdag dance, one performed by the monks, and the other by laymen, with some difference in steps. The dancers bring a box in a cloth that is made to look like human skin, which contains a small effigy of a human being. The cloth and the box will be left behind, when the dance is completed, to be damaged by the Tungam chham dancers that would follow. “This signifies subduing the evil that harms the tantric doctrine,” said Kinzang Dorji.

Dhurdag chham performed by monks, according to the Tsugla Lopen Samten Dorji says the dance is performed only by senior monks, who have mastered all other mask dances. “Durdag is complex, because it requires some measure of understanding of tantric symbolism.”

Spectators at tshechus, while witnessing the Dhurdag dance, should visualise the surrounding as the great cremation ground, the people as the assembly of buddhas, dakis, dakinis and the lords around the cosmic world, and dhurdag dancers as the real lord of cremation grounds, said the Tsugla lopon. “It’s only then that they’ll be bestowed the endowments.”

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan Drukair will fly up to 20,000 passengers

Drukair will fly up to 20,000 passengers this month alone - a record for the airline.

The record traffic is a result not only of the peak tourist season beginning this month, but also the upcoming Royal Wedding.

As a result, Drukair has already inserted 28 additional flights, or made available 4,500 more seats, this October. Half these flights are on the Paro-Bangkok, Thailand sector. The airline has placed a second crew in Bangkok to address the record upsurge in passenger traffic.

“We’ve created more than 25 percent additional capacity for October and it’s the highest we’ve ever created,” the airline’s commercial manager, Tshering Penjor, said. He added that the airline has even had to hire temporary staff to cope with the record traffic being experienced.

On October 2, the airline flew 15 flights in and out of Paro airport, setting another record for most flights operated at the airport since its construction in the early eighties.

While some seats on incoming flights to Paro are still available, Tshering Penjor said that preferred dates might not be available. In case of medical emergencies requiring patients to be flown out, he said that Drukair would continue to prioritise such cases. “Drukair has and will continue to extend priority and do all possible, as and when an emergency arises.”

While the airline has created the additional capacity, bad weather and technical problems if encountered, could disrupt the October schedule. “We’ve kept some cushion to ensure during such unforeseen circumstances while flights may be disrupted and delayed, at no point of time, the air services will be crippled,” Tshering Penjor said. He added, “However no one can guarantee against any technical problems or weather related delays and, if we face them, obviously it’ll impact the schedules.”

A technical problem with one of its airbus jets already disrupted the schedule, when it was grounded for maintenance on Tuesday and most of Wednesday.

He also pointed out that, despite the increased frequency of flight operations, safety of passengers and aircraft maintenance would not be compromised, and would remain a priority of the airline.

Source: Kuenselonline

Royal wedding (Bhutan) archery tournament

In the royal wedding archery tournament at Gup Kanjur’s archery range at Babesa in Thimphu, Thongley Drayang secured five points defeating its opponent teams, Tashi Tagye and Wamling Yarna, who shared three points each.

In the afternoon’s match, Karma Druk beat Chang Shooters and Charo Nga by scoring six points. The other two teams manage only three points each.

The organiser, former gup Kanjur claimed the tournament played on traditional bow and arrow and aping the Yangphel style, was the first of its kind in Thimphu.

The tournament saw 22 teams participating in it.

He said he was interested in playing archery on Pakshi before he switched on to compound bow a few years ago.

“I was sent to other countries to represent my own in playing archery on Pakshi and now I should do something to preserve and promote it,” he said, adding although a number of archery tournaments were organised in the country, it was less on traditional equipment.

“This is one of the reasons for conducting this tournament,” Kanjur said.

He also said the tournament was in celebration of the royal wedding, its finals being scheduled on the wedding day. Prizes have yet to be decided as the organiser are still looking for sponsors.

“I’m starting this tournament with the hope it’ll become an annual event,” he said.

In today’s tournament, Gunners will play Wamling Yarna and Ram Kharp in the morning and Radhi will contest Druk Chapcha Construction and Chang shooters in the afternoon. The tournament started on September 18 and the league round will wind up on September 30.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan Hit Earthquake

Bhutan Hit by earthquake on 18th September 2011

Magnitude	6.1
Date-Time	Monday, September 21, 2009 at 08:53:06 UTC Monday, September 21, 2009 at 02:53:06 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	27.346°N, 91.412°E
Depth	14 km (8.7 miles) set by location program
Region	BHUTAN
Distances	130 km (80 miles) NNW of Gauhati, Assam, India 180 km (110 miles) E of THIMPHU, Bhutan 610 km (380 miles) NNE of Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India 1410 km (870 miles) E of NEW DELHI, Delhi, India
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 6.2 km (3.9 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters	NST=137, Nph=137, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.04 sec, Gp= 22°, M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=A
Source	USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID	us2009lvap

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009lvap.php

TREK ITINERARY FOR SAMTENGANG

PRIVATE TREK ITINERARY FOR
SAMTENGANG TREK 11 DAYS

Day 01 Arrive at Paro Airport
During the journey to Paro, one will experience breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Historic Tour who will escort you to the hotel.

Day 02 Paro- Paro
Visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D. Lunch at Hotel. Visit the Drukgyal Dzong, located 16 Km. away from the Paro town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here, the peak of Jhomolhari "Mountain of the Goddess" can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,314m/24,029ft.). Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country.

Day 03 Paro - Thimphu
Drive along the winding road along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence with the Wang Chu then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu, the Capital. Lunch will be served at the Hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the Late Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04 Thimphu – Khuruthang

Drive to Khuruthang with pack lunch provided from the hotel. Stop at Dochula pass for a grand view of the Himalayan mountain ranges (if the weather is clear). Lunch at the camp site. After lunch, drive down to Punakha and visit the Dzong.

Day 05 Khuruthang - Limukha
Drive till Punakha. The trek begins with the gradual climb through Chir Pine forests. On the way, visit a village called, Dompala.

Day 06 Limukha - Chungsakha
The trail today takes you through rhododendron and oak forested area. Enroute pass a famous Drukpa Kuenlay Lhakhang. Overnight in camp. Distance 14 Km. about 5/6 hours walk.

Day 07 Chungsakha - Samtengang
The trail now takes you through the village of Sha Wangdi District. Camp at Samtengang at lake side. Distance 13 Km about 5 hours.

Day 08 Samtengang - Wangdue
The trail now drops down till the motor road. Drive till Wangdue Phodrang and lunch at the Guest House. Overnight: Hotel

Day 09 Wangdue - Thimphu
Morning drive to Thimphu.
Check in the Hotel and Lunch will be served.
After Lunch visit the Handicraft Emporium, National Mini Zoo, and Thimphu View Point.
Overnight Hotel in Thimphu

Day10 Thimphu - Paro
Drive to Paro. Check in the hotel and rest of the afternoon free.
Overnight hotel in Paro

Day 11 Drive to Airport and board flight

Wishing you safe journey and Thank you for visiting Bhutan with us.

Druk Air: Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement

Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement (ASA) next week, according to the department of civil aviation (DCA).

The agreement will allow national airline, Drukair and upcoming private airline, Tashi Air, the rights to fly to Singapore. A civil aviation team from Singapore will arrive in the country today to work out technical details of the ASA, prior to a final agreement on Wednesday.

Drukair plans to operate to Singapore twice a week from March next year, according to the airline’s commercial manager, Tshering Penjor. But he said that this would also depend on when Drukair is able to acquire a third airbus jet. Drukair will also have the rights to operate to Singapore through Kolkata, India and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A representative for Tashi Air said that its international destinations will only be worked out once the airline’s domestic obligations are fulfilled. The private airline’s aircraft is expected to arrive in the first week of October.

DCA director general, Phala Dorji, pointed out that an added benefit to an ASA with Singapore would be obtaining training opportunities for Bhutanese aviation officials.

The aviation sector is a key component of the Singaporean economy, and its civil aviation authority is also major provider of training for international aviation management personnel. Bhutanese airlines will also be able to use Singapore for its high level of aircraft maintenance and repair services. “This will go a long way in terms of benefits,” said Phala Dorji. The director general also pointed out that Singapore had initiated the ASA.

Bhutan now has ASAs with seven countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and now, Singapore. Phala Dorji said that DCA is under instructions to establish as many ASAs as possible. He said that DCA is currently focused on establishing ASAs with all SAARC countries. Bhutan does not have ASAs with Pakistan and Afghanistan. He added that Qatar had recently expressed interest in establishing an ASA with Bhutan.

While ASAs can be established, it is up to airlines whether a route will be formed and operated. Drukair does not operate to the Maldives and has discontinued its Myanmar stopovers. Drukair is currently focused on expanding its services to and within India, where domestic passenger traffic is growing at a rapid pace. Passenger traffic between Paro and India increased 26 percent in 2010. The international air transport association (IATA) ranked India’s domestic passenger traffic growth second (14 percent) globally for the month of June. Drukair is considering establishing routes to the cities of Bangalore and Mumbai.

The national airline is also looking at establishing a Hong Kong, China route.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan His Majesty the King advised the graduates

His Majesty the King advised the graduates who were attending the annual graduate’s orientation programme not be complacent.

Speaking at the closing ceremony yesterday, His Majesty said “there are so many graduates. I know that most of you will know the importance of working hard. So to the few of you, who might feel that being graduates, everything will happen for you, I must warn you. You will be left behind.”

His Majesty also spoke about the importance of preserving the age old traditions.

“Fundamental to the strength and beauty of our nation is our cultural heritage – our traditions and customs – the bond between children and their parents, teachers and elders. The trust and faith among friends, neighbours and the community,” His Majesty said.

“You must also know the difference between good and evil, between right and wrong, between compassion and self-interest.”

His Majesty said the Kingdom’s age old traditions will ensure that the graduates, as they pursue their individual goals and ambitions, will do so in harmony with others. It will ensure that individual successes will build a strong, united and harmonious nation.

His Majesty was accompanied by the Queen-to-be, Jetsun Pema.

Bhutan His Majesty the King advised the graduates

His Majesty the King advised the graduates who were attending the annual graduate’s orientation programme not be complacent.

Speaking at the closing ceremony yesterday, His Majesty said “there are so many graduates. I know that most of you will know the importance of working hard. So to the few of you, who might feel that being graduates, everything will happen for you, I must warn you. You will be left behind.”

His Majesty also spoke about the importance of preserving the age old traditions.

“Fundamental to the strength and beauty of our nation is our cultural heritage – our traditions and customs – the bond between children and their parents, teachers and elders. The trust and faith among friends, neighbours and the community,” His Majesty said.

“You must also know the difference between good and evil, between right and wrong, between compassion and self-interest.”

His Majesty said the Kingdom’s age old traditions will ensure that the graduates, as they pursue their individual goals and ambitions, will do so in harmony with others. It will ensure that individual successes will build a strong, united and harmonious nation.

His Majesty was accompanied by the Queen-to-be, Jetsun Pema.

Bhutan royal wedding book of congratulations

The Bhutan Media Foundation has come up with a royal wedding book of congratulations which will be presented to the royal couple soon after the royal wedding.

The book will be a collection of art, poems, and simple heartfelt messages dedicated to the royal couple. More than 1,500 messages have been received so far. Every day, a few people are coming forward to pen their thoughts and express their good wishes.

On the day BBS visited the office of the Bhutan Media Foundation, 32-year-old Dhendup Tshering who works in a travel agency had come to submit a poem for the royal couple.

Tashi Pelyang Lhendup, a Dratshang Lhengtshog employee, had come to “express my appreciation to His Majesty for what he is doing for us and the country at large. I am not much of a talker so I wanted to express my regards in writing.”

For Dechen Choki, a house wife, the occasion is an “opportunity to express my gratitude for the royal wedding and wish the royal couple the very best.”

The Bhutan Media Foundation came up with the book to provide a platform for the people to express their gratitude and best wishes.

Lily Wangchuk, the Executive Director Bhutan Media Foundation, said “we have received very good response from the people and I think most people have still not heard about it.”

Only a limited edition of the book will be published. The original copies of the messages will also be presented to His Majesty the King and the Queen.

People can send their messages till Friday.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan national airline’s ATR 42-500 aircraft grounded of technical problems

Despite conducting a three-day rimdro or prayer ceremony for its aircraft last week, the national airline’s ATR aircraft is once again grounded as a result of technical problems.

The 48-seater twin turbo propellor ATR 42-500 aircraft has been grounded since Wednesday and is expected to remain grounded until Sunday. The airline’s officiating CEO, Rinzin Dorji said that the date for the aircraft’s reintroduction into scheduled services is “tentative”.

Drukair general manager, engineering section, Thrimchong Wangdi, explained that the de-icing boot on one of the aircraft’s wing was “ruptured” and non-functioning. The de-icing boot is a rubber device located on the front surface edge of the ATR’s wings to allow for mechanical de-icing. The front surface edge of an aircraft’s wing is one area most likely to accumulate ice during flight. Ice on an aircraft’s wing can cause disruptions in airflow, leading to loss of lift or control.

According to a source, the non-functioning de-icing boot was discovered mid-air while the aircraft was flying from Kathmandu to Paro.

Drukair management and engineering downplayed the risks of such an incident.

Thrimchong Wangdi pointed out that the ATR is equipped with “2-3” redundancy measures or back up systems, in case a de-icing boot fails. “From that perspective, it’s not a very serious concern.”

This is at least the fourth grounding of the ATR aircraft since it joined the Drukair fleet in June. The induction itself was delayed by about two weeks. Two groundings were required to prevent the aircraft’s only two pilots from exceeding the accepted number of flight hours in July. A damaged wheel bearing, which required the entire landing gear assembly to be shipped to and repaired in Singapore, grounded it early this month for about two weeks.

On why Drukair has hired only two pilots, Rinzin Dorji attributed costs.

“It’s very, very expensive,” he said, on hiring pilots from abroad. Two international pilots, and two engineers have been hired with the aircraft.

The captain’s salary is about USD 10,000/month, according to Rinzin Dorji, while the engineers are paid about USD 7000/month. He pointed out that Bhutanese pilots are in the “pipeline”.

The technical problems have caused some observers to raise safety concerns with regard to the aircraft’s age. The department of civil aviation only last week said it had no concerns regarding the safety of the ATR. Drukair officiating CEO also emphasised that the ATR is in “good condition” and that thorough examinations of the aircraft had carried out before leasing it.

The ATR, which has been leased for one year, with a purchase option at the end of the term, is nine years old. It was previously operated by the French Polynesian government as a VIP aircraft, and by a domestic airline, Air Tahiti.

During its service there, the aircraft did not experience any major technical issues, according to sources. The French Polynesian government sold the aircraft for financial purposes, not because of technical problems, according to the chief of staff at the French Polynesia vice-presidency, Moetai Brotherson. “It has gone through a thorough technical expertise,” he said in an email interview. A member of the Polynesian press confirmed this.

The French Polynesian government sold the ATR to an aircraft maintenance company, Mk Tek Europe for USD 8.6 M. Drukair then leased/purchased the ATR from this company for about USD 9.8M, according to Rinzin Dorji. He pointed out that this amount was an estimation as he did not have the figures immediately.

Meanwhile, spare parts for the ATR had to be ordered from Copenhagen, Denmark, and are due to arrive today.

Source: Kuenselonline