Bathpalathang Airport (BUT)

Jakar, BT 🇧🇹 Small Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

VQBT

IATA

BUT

Elevation

8485 ft

Region

BT-33

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: VQBT

Local Code: Not available

Location: 27.5622° N, 90.7471° E

Continent: AS

Type: Small Airport

Keywords: Bumthang Domestic

Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Bathpalathang Airport (BUT) in Jakar, Bhutan, generally offers a functional but modest travel experience, primarily appreciated for its scenic location and crucial role in connecting travelers to central Bhutan's cultural heartland. While there aren't extensive recent traveler reviews in the traditional sense, information suggests a positive sentiment regarding its accessibility to the beautiful Bumthang valley, balanced with an understanding of its current domestic-airport limitations.

What Travelers Love
  • Scenic Arrival: The airport offers a picturesque arrival experience, situated along the Chamkhar River with breathtaking views of surrounding mountains and valleys.
  • Access to Central Bhutan: It serves as a vital air link to the Bumthang region, known for its temples, valleys, and hiking trails, simplifying access to religious sites and monasteries.
  • Traditional Architecture: The airport is designed in a traditional Bhutanese architectural style, blending modern functionality with cultural heritage.
  • Ongoing Modernization: A runway extension project was initiated in April 2022 to enhance operational capacity, and a new terminal building is being designed to accommodate future international operations with immigration and customs facilities.
Common Complaints
  • Basic Facilities: As a domestic airport with limited flights, the facilities are currently quite basic, though ATMs and some restaurants/beverages are available.
  • Limited Flight Operations: Druk Air is currently the only airline providing services, primarily connecting to Paro International Airport, and flights are limited and highly dependent on weather conditions due to the mountainous terrain.
  • Ground Transportation: While a parking area is available, ground transportation options can be limited, and arranging transportation through a travel agency is recommended for convenience.
  • Historical Operational Issues: The airport has faced past challenges, including temporary suspensions due to runway damage in 2012, highlighting the complexities of operating in the region.
  • Security and Immigration: Current estimated security wait times are around 28 minutes and immigration wait times are around 8 minutes, although the airport does not currently have international customs or immigration services.

Bathpalathang Airport serves as a functional and picturesque gateway to central Bhutan, with ongoing developments promising enhanced capacity and future international connections, making it a valuable asset for exploring this unique region despite its current basic infrastructure.

Generated 5 days ago
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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
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Top Airlines

Operating at Bathpalathang Airport
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
1 9 1 Dec 6, 2025
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
14/32 3937 ft - ft ASP Active

Type Description Frequency
TWR TWR 122.55 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Taxis are the primary mode of transportation available at the airport. You can find them waiting outside the terminal building upon flight arrivals. Fares to the main town of Jakar are generally fixed or can be negotiated. Many hotels also offer pre-arranged airport pickup services.

Rental Cars

Self-drive car rental is not a common option for tourists in Bhutan. Transportation is typically arranged as part of a tour package, which includes a private vehicle with a dedicated driver and guide. These arrangements must be made in advance through a registered Bhutanese tour operator.

Public Transportation

There are no public buses or dedicated airport shuttles that service Bathpalathang Airport directly. To use the public bus system for travel to other districts, you must first take a taxi from the airport to the bus station in Jakar town.

Nearby Airports

Yongphulla Airport
YON • VQTY
Yongphulla, BT
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~83 km away
Paro International Airport
PBH • VQPR
Paro, BT
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~132 km away
Gelephu Airport
GLU • VQGP
Gelephu, BT
Medium Airport
~80 km away
Paro International Airport
PBH • VQPR
Paro, BT
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~132 km away
Yongphulla Airport
YON • VQTY
Yongphulla, BT
Small Airport Scheduled Service
~83 km away
Trongsa Heliport
BT-0005
Trongsa, BT
Heliport
~24 km away
Buli Heliport
BT-0007
Buli, BT
Heliport
~44 km away
Mongar Heliport
BT-0006
Mongar, BT
Heliport
~58 km away
Uma Gechuthang Heliport
BT-0002
Chanchey, BT
Heliport
~81 km away
Shoktsen Heliport
IN-0180
Shoktsen, IN
Heliport
~96 km away
Thimphu Heliport
VQTU
Thimphu, BT
Heliport
~109 km away
Royal Bhutan Police Heliport
BT-0001
Thimphu, BT
Heliport
~110 km away
Tawang Air Force Station
IN-0002
Tawang, IN
Heliport
~112 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.