Yongphulla Airport YON

Yongphulla Airport (also spelled Yonphula) is the domestic airport for eastern Bhutan, serving the Trashigang area. It sits at 2,562 m (8,405 ft) in a mountain valley, and its runway is about 1,270 m long. It started in the 1960s as a simple airstrip and reopened in October 2017 after several closures for repairs. There are no official passenger figures: traffic is very small.

Terminals

There is a single small building with arrivals and departures under the same roof. Everything is on foot and takes only a few minutes.

Airlines and destinations

The only airline with scheduled service is Drukair, flying domestically to Paro (about 45 minutes in the air). Frequency is just a few flights a week and changes often, so confirm the days before planning your trip.

Services

Facilities are minimal: do not expect shops, currency exchange or lounges. Bring cash and whatever you need for the wait. Outside the terminal you will find taxis or transfers arranged through your hotel or tour operator.

Tips

Flights run in daylight only and depend on the weather; cloud and fog in the mountains cause delays and cancellations, so leave slack in your itinerary. The alternative to flying is the road, which is long and winding from western Bhutan. If you travel with an agency, let them coordinate the transfer to and from the airstrip.