Drukair Will Operate Direct Israel to Bhutan Flights
The airline will conduct five direct flights from Israel to Bhutan during February and March 2027.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Air Travel
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Drukair plans to launch five direct flights connecting Israel and Bhutan in February and March 2027. The service utilizes an Airbus A320 for the approximately seven-hour journey to Paro International Airport.
Why it matters
Bhutan maintains strict policies limiting tourism volume to preserve its unique national character. Travelers visiting the country are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per person per night.
The Sustainable Development Fee is set at $100 per night until August 31, 2027. Paro International Airport sits at an altitude of 2,200 meters and features a 2.2 km long runway, requiring pilots to undergo specialized certification.
The players
Drukair
Drukair is the national airline of Bhutan that operates flights to and from Paro International Airport.
Caminos
Caminos is a travel company currently organizing tour packages for visitors traveling from Israel to Bhutan.
The details
Tour operator Caminos is organizing eight-day travel packages for groups of up to 16 people, priced at $5,395 per person. Pilots navigating the mountainous terrain to reach Paro must maneuver through valleys to land the 110-seat aircraft.
Timeline
Bhutan opened to international tourism in 1974.
Five direct flights will operate between February and March 2027.
The current Sustainable Development Fee rate remains in effect until August 31, 2027.
A new project is planned by officials for the end of 2027.
Roadmap
Bhutan's tourism industry continues to operate under the constraints of its Sustainable Development Fee to regulate visitor numbers. This new direct flight service represents a strategic effort to balance accessibility for international travelers with the nation's long-standing preservation policy.
Travelers should budget for the $100 per night Sustainable Development Fee on top of the $5,395 tour package price. The eight-day itinerary requires coordination with the tour organizer, and passengers should prepare for the unique landing conditions required at high-altitude airports.
The takeaway
Travelers interested in visiting Bhutan should confirm all visa and fee requirements well in advance due to the country's strict tourism limitations. Prospective visitors can utilize the planned direct flights to streamline their travel logistics to the Himalayan nation.
What happens next
Airline and tourism officials are currently planning another project for the end of 2027.
Further reading
For more information on international flight developments, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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