Bhutan has unveiled the plans for its upcoming air hub, Gelephu International Airport, which is expected to open in 2029.
Currently, travellers have limited access to the country, as they must take a short-haul flight to Paro International Airport, near the capital Thimpu, between two Himalayan peaks. According to CNN, the location and conditions at the current airport only allow for a few flights per day on small aircraft.
The new airport will have the capacity to accommodate 123 daily flights and 1,3 million passengers annually by the end of 2040.
Gelephu International Airport is being designed by aviation engineering firm, NACO, as an integral part of a larger project to redevelop Gelephu city, headed by architecture firm, Bjarke Ingels Group.
The airport will have a natural look, with the structure crafted from sustainably sourced timber and adorned with painted wood carvings by local artists.
