Yongphulla Airport (IATA: YON, ICAO: VQTY) (also known as Yonphula Airport) is a domestic airport in Bhutan, one of four airports in the country. It is located near the town of Trashigang in Trashigang District.

Yonphula Airport
IATA: YON ICAO: VQTY
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Department of Civil Aviation
Serves	Trashigang, Bhutan
Elevation AMSL	2,743 m / 9,000 ft
Coordinates	27°15′23″N 91°30′52″E
Map
YON Location of airport in Bhutan
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 12/30 1,266 4,154 Asphalt

History

The airport was originally constructed by the Indian Army in the 1960s. Yongphulla Airport was simply an airstrip at that time, located high atop mountainous terrain and largely unused. In the early 2000s, the airport was renovated with the aim of becoming a viable domestic airport. It was scheduled for completion in January 2010, but the airport was eventually completed and inaugurated in December 2011. Six months later it closed for runway surface repairs, after Drukair suspended operations citing safety concerns. During construction, budget constraints had allowed only half of the runway to receive ‘patchwork repairs’. The runway had not been resurfaced since the 1960s.

While the airport reopened in January 2013, following a complete resurfacing of the runway, Drukair scheduled flights to Yongphulla remained suspended because of regulatory requirements and further safety concerns. The ATR 42-500 used by Drukair for domestic services, while able to land on the 3.8 percent gradient runway, was prohibited from doing so in commercial flight operations, as there was a limitation in the aircraft manual of 2 percent gradient. Additionally, Drukair highlighted concerns with a ‘hump’ in the runway, on the grounds that it may cause long-term structural damage to their aircraft. Drukair also asked for the two hillocks either side of the runway to be removed on the grounds that the airport is prone to strong crosswinds and these represent a hazard to aircraft in such conditions.

In October 2013, it was announced that the airport would be closed to all air traffic until 2015, due to the lack of fire service cover and to allow significant structural repairs to the airfield. The closure lasted for over four years. The airport was re-opened on 8 October 2017 by Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay after the runway was upgraded to international standards.

Facilities

The airport resides at an elevation of 9,000 ft (2,700 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 12/30 with an Asphalt surface measuring 4,154 by 120 feet (1,266 m × 37 m).

Airlines and destinations

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