The Bhutanese flag carrier, founded in 1981 and based at Paro International Airport (PBH), carries international cargo in passenger bellies with air waybill prefix A5. It is the only local airline that regularly carries Bhutan's international cargo through the Paro gateway; Chinese exports reach Bhutan after connecting at hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu. Space and schedules are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.
| Country | Bhutan (Kingdom of Bhutan) |
| Head office and hubs | Paro, Paro International Airport (PBH) |
| IATA two-letter code | KB |
| ICAO three-letter code | DRK |
| Founded | 1981 (commercial service from 1983) |
| Fleet composition | A319 ×3, A320neo, ATR 42-600, PC-24 |
Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Founded in 1981, it began commercial operations in 1983 and is headquartered and based at Paro International Airport (IATA PBH, ICAO VQPR). Its IATA code is KB, its ICAO code is DRK, its radio call sign is ROYAL BHUTAN and its air waybill prefix is A5. The fleet consists of Airbus A319, A320neo, ATR 42-600 and Pilatus PC-24 aircraft. Paro is a high-altitude airport in the Himalayas, and arrivals and departures are flown by specially trained crews.
As the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Drukair handles most of the country's external air transport and its international routes are the main air corridor in and out of Bhutan. For China it plays a connecting role: exports travel on a combination of a third-country hub and a Paro-bound flight, with a forwarder coordinating the two sectors and the handover. Routes into Bhutan are fairly concentrated, mainly via Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu, with Bangkok the most frequent and the usual choice for cargo from eastern and southern China.
On cargo, Drukair confirms that all its international flights carry freight, loaded in passenger bellies; the airline does not operate dedicated freighters. Paro has a Drukair cargo department (DRUK AIR CARGO) handling import, export, transhipment and storage for Bhutan, with firm limits on piece size and weight: maximum piece dimensions 1.4 m × 2.430 m × 0.650 m and a maximum piece weight of 80 kg. For Chinese shippers Drukair is the only local scheduled carrier into the Bhutanese market, and exports can reach Paro on its flights after connecting at international hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu.
Drukair has no published cargo office of its own in China. For Bhutan-bound freight, Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) can book the mainline sector, arrange the connection and confirm capacity toward Paro, verifying schedules and space with the carrier on the day of booking.
Trade between China and Bhutan routinely moves through third countries, with Chinese goods entering the Bhutanese market by international air and regional re-export, and Paro the only international air gateway. Chinese exports to Bhutan are mainly machinery and electrical products, building materials, consumer goods, medical devices and textiles, arriving at Paro after connecting at hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu. The high-altitude approach into Paro places special demands on operations, and volumes are limited by belly space and flight frequency, so peak-season space has to be confirmed early. Goodhope Freight combines mainline, connecting and final-leg options to suit the market and the cargo.
Drukair publishes no scheduled China route and no office of its own in China; its China business runs on connections, with cargo moving through hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu and then to Paro on Drukair. Goodhope Freight handles the complete connection for Chinese exports to Bhutan.
Drukair website: drukair.com.bt. The airline is headquartered in Paro, and cargo is handled by its commercial team and the Drukair cargo department at Paro airport. No cargo office of its own is published for China, so requirements are routed through agents.
Drukair has a cargo sales agent in Singapore, Druk Logistics, handling sales and operations there; no cargo office of its own is published for China, and Chinese cargo connects through a hub to the Paro terminal.
Chinese exporters with cargo for Bhutan can have the requirement assessed and arranged through us. We deal with the carrier's commercial team and the cargo department at Paro on capacity and handling arrangements. Submit the requirement at goodhope86.com and we complete the booking, transit tracking and customs coordination as one process.
The fleet numbers nine aircraft, all passenger types. International cargo travels in passenger bellies and there are no dedicated freighters. Belly capacity differs by type, so loading is confirmed per shipment against the aircraft operating the flight and the space left in the hold.
The fleet workhorse, 3 aircraft, flying international routes to Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu. The belly is split into forward and aft holds; the published A319 forward hold limit is about 1,045 kg, and usable space depends on the aircraft on the day.
A new-generation narrowbody on international routes, with more belly volume and payload than the A319 and able to take larger lots; loading depends on the configuration and the space available on the flight.
The ATR 42-600 is a regional turboprop; the Pilatus PC-24 is a light jet used on specific routes and missions. Both have limited belly space and suit small lots.
| Aircraft type | Number | Freight positioning |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319 | 3 aircraft | International workhorse, routinely flying to Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu |
| Airbus A320neo | 1 aircraft | New-generation narrowbody with more belly capacity than the A319 |
| ATR 42-600 | 1 aircraft | Regional turboprop for regional and short sectors |
| Pilatus PC-24 | 1 aircraft | Light jet for specific routes and missions |
Taking the A319 as an example, the published forward hold figures are a maximum load of about 1,045 kg, usable volume of about 4.10 cubic metres and hold dimensions of about 4.95 m × 2.64 m × 1.24 m; actual loading depends on the aircraft and the space left. Paro acceptance standards set maximum piece dimensions of 1.4 m × 2.430 m × 0.650 m and a maximum piece weight of 80 kg, and cargo beyond those limits must be agreed with the cargo department in advance. Before export cargo is loaded, Goodhope Freight checks piece dimensions and weights against those limits so nothing is refused on arrival at Paro.
Drukair publishes no scheduled cargo route to China. Chinese exports connect to it mainly as a mainline sector from China to hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, Kathmandu and Dhaka plus belly carriage toward Paro: the mainline leaves a Chinese gateway, connects at the hub with an operating international carrier, and the Paro leg is flown by Drukair.
| Connection method | Typical use | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Mainline from China to Bangkok | Consolidated cargo exported from China to Bhutan | Mainline services from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong to Bangkok BKK are frequent, and Drukair connects Bangkok to Paro several times a week. |
| Mainline from China to Singapore | Cargo from eastern and southern China | Drukair flies Singapore–Paro three times a week, and cargo connects through Singapore. |
| Via Indian and Nepalese hubs | Cargo originating in South Asia | Delhi DEL and Kathmandu KTM are Drukair's South Asian points, and cargo connects to Paro through the relevant hub. |
| Charter and special cargo assessment | Bulk or special cargo | We assess the transport plan against the cargo parameters. The high-altitude approach into Paro sets firm limits on aircraft type and cargo dimensions, which have to be checked in advance. |
There are currently no direct flights from China to Bhutan. All cargo transits a third-country hub. The carrier, schedule and rate are confirmed on the day of booking.
Main East China gateway with frequent mainline services to Bangkok and Singapore, suited to consolidated general cargo, heavy cargo and temperature-controlled shipments.
A core gateway for South China manufacturing cargo: machinery, electronics and textiles ship easily, and Shenzhen cargo can move by road to Hong Kong warehouses for handover.
A complete international cargo network with ample capacity via Bangkok and Singapore, suited to consolidated heavy lots.
A North China gateway connecting to Paro via Delhi and Kathmandu, suited to North China cargo shipping from its nearest airport.
Paro International Airport is Bhutan's only international air gateway. Its altitude and difficult terrain mean only specific aircraft types can operate there, and strict size and weight limits apply to acceptance. All inbound and outbound cargo is handled at the Paro airport cargo terminal.
We handle mainline booking for Chinese exports, transit connections and capacity confirmation toward Paro, manage the milestones of each shipment, and check import permits and documentation requirements at the same time.
With Paro as the gateway, Chinese exports enter Bhutan through Drukair's international hubs at Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu. Its scheduled network covers Thailand, Singapore, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and the UAE, so cargo can connect at whichever hub has the most frequent service.
Day-of-week schedules on Drukair routes follow seasonal plans and no fixed annual timetable is published, so the carrier's current publication governs. Exporters assessing a routing into Paro through a given hub can ask Goodhope Freight for a connection plan matched to the market and cargo, with Paro capacity confirmed with the carrier on the day of booking.
There are no direct flights from China toward Paro. The routings below are the practical options from China to Paro PBH, arranged by us according to cargo weight, dimensions and transit time. The actual carrier and schedule are confirmed on the day of booking.
| Path | Origin China | Transit hub | Carrier on the Paro leg | Indicative transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Via Bangkok | Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong | Bangkok BKK | Drukair KB | About 4–7 days |
| Via Singapore | Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong | Singapore SIN | Drukair KB | About 4–7 days |
| Via Delhi | Beijing, Shanghai | Delhi DEL | Drukair KB | About 4–7 days |
| Via Kathmandu | Chengdu, Kunming, Beijing | Kathmandu KTM | Drukair KB | About 4–7 days |
| Via Dhaka | Guangzhou, Kunming | Dhaka DAC | Drukair KB | about 4–8 days |
Reference transit time airport to airport is about 4–8 working days, and typically 6–10 days door to door once inland pickup in China, export declaration, clearance and delivery at Paro are counted. These figures are the generally published range used across the forwarding industry. The high-altitude approach into Paro is strongly affected by weather, and peak season, flight connections and customs inspection can all change the actual arrival time. Schedules change with the season; the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies.
Bangkok and Singapore have the most frequent Drukair service and the most established connections; Delhi and Kathmandu offer shorter sections; Dhaka suits cargo from southern and southwestern China. Goodhope Freight selects according to shipping date and transit requirement and sets out the trade-offs and rate differences of each routing.
Schedules follow seasonal plans and no fixed annual timetable is published; times are local, frequencies change with the season, and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking governs.
Drukair is the Bhutanese flag carrier and the local airline that regularly carries the country's international cargo through the Paro gateway, so the final leg into Bhutan is mostly flown by Drukair.
Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka and Dubai combine with mainline services from major Chinese gateways to form stable connecting routings.
The Paro terminal publishes piece size and weight limits, so shippers can check packing and piece specifications beforehand and reduce the risk of refusal at the airport.
Belly capacity on the Paro leg is confirmed per shipment. We combine mainline, transit and final-leg transport to suit the destination market and the cargo, so the plan stays flexible and every milestone can be tracked.
| Cargo categories | Notes | China export reference |
|---|---|---|
| General cargo | Machinery and electrical products, building materials, consumer goods, textiles and apparel, and similar standard air cargo | The cargo types commonly exported from China to Bhutan, booked and loaded through standard procedures. |
| High-value cargo | Precision instruments, telecom equipment and medical devices; reinforced packing can be arranged | High-value cargo is declared per shipment, and we manage the loading and handover process. |
| Temperature-controlled cargo | Pharmaceuticals and biological products, shipped in temperature-controlled packaging to cold-chain requirements | For pharmaceutical cargo exported from China, temperature conditions are subject to carrier confirmation. |
| Dangerous goods | Battery-powered products and chemicals are accepted under IATA dangerous goods rules | Compliant declaration documents are required, and acceptance conditions should be confirmed at the booking stage. |
| Out-of-gauge cargo | Cargo above the Paro terminal limits on piece size or weight | Paro allows a maximum piece of 1.4 × 2.430 × 0.650 m and 80 kg; oversize cargo must be agreed with the cargo department in advance. |
| Express shipments and samples | Small samples and documents can move on express products | Suited to fast shipment of trade samples and business documents. |
Cargo from China to Bhutan is mainly machinery and electrical products, building materials, medical devices and consumer goods. Acceptance standards for each commodity follow the operating carrier's rules. Dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo and out-of-gauge cargo must be declared at the booking stage.
The Drukair cargo department runs the terminal at Paro airport, handling import, export, transhipment and storage for Bhutan; on arrival the terminal completes handover and supports clearance.
Chinese cargo reaches Paro after connecting at hubs such as Bangkok and Singapore; Goodhope Freight coordinates AWB continuity and ground handover between the two carriers and tracks each milestone.
Bulk cargo is confirmed shipment by shipment against available belly capacity; for special cargo beyond the Paro acceptance limits, Goodhope Freight assesses alternative routings or the feasibility of a charter.
Bookings using Drukair capacity into Paro are confirmed shipment by shipment. Exporters send the destination market and cargo details, and Goodhope Freight completes the mainline booking, the connection and the Paro capacity confirmation as one shipping plan.
| Step | Content |
|---|---|
| Step one | Send us the commodity, weight, volume, piece dimensions, destination city and transit requirement so we can check whether the shipment exceeds Paro cargo terminal acceptance limits. |
| Step two | We match a China gateway and a transit hub, confirm mainline schedule and rate, and check belly availability on the Paro leg at the same time. |
| Step three | Cargo moves on the mainline to the hub, is handed over, then loads onto a Drukair flight to Paro, with each milestone tracked. |
| Step four | After arrival at Paro we clear customs, arrange pickup or delivery, and handle exceptions and claims. |
Paro is a high-altitude airport with a special approach, and operations are strongly affected by weather and season. Schedules change with the season; the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies.
Customers do not have to deal separately with mainline carriers, transit hub agents, the Paro cargo terminal and the customs broker. We coordinate all of these and follow every issue through to resolution.
Mainline freight, belly charges on the Paro leg, fuel surcharge, ground handling, documentation, customs brokerage and any storage or inspection charges are listed line by line so customers can check where the money goes.
Before booking we check piece dimensions, weight and packing against Paro cargo terminal acceptance standards, ruling out unworkable options so that cargo is not refused at the warehouse.
For delays, damage, discrepancies between documents and goods, and customs holds in transit, we handle the process under the carrier's rules and the conditions of carriage, so clients do not have to deal with unfamiliar procedures on their own.
No scheduled cargo route or office of its own is published. Chinese cargo connects at hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu and is then flown to Paro by Drukair, with each shipment confirmed individually.
No. Drukair confirms that all international flights carry cargo in the passenger belly, and the airline operates no dedicated freighters.
The Paro terminal publishes a maximum piece size of 1.4 m × 2.430 m × 0.650 m and a maximum piece weight of 80 kg; cargo beyond that must be agreed with the cargo department in advance.
Yes. There are no nonstop flights from China to Bhutan; cargo connects at hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kathmandu to reach Paro PBH, with Goodhope Freight coordinating the connections.
Nine aircraft, including three Airbus A319, one A320neo, one ATR 42-600 and one Pilatus PC-24, all passenger types.
Belly capacity into Paro is confirmed with the carrier on the day of booking; Goodhope Freight checks availability and rates while planning and, once confirmed, arranges handover and loading.
Bangkok and Singapore have the most frequent service and established connections; Delhi and Kathmandu offer shorter sections. The choice follows shipping date, volume and transit requirement, and Goodhope Freight compares the options.
About 4–8 working days airport to airport, and typically 6–10 days door to door. Actual transit depends on connections, weather at Paro and clearance at destination; the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking applies.
Standard cargo needs an air waybill, commercial invoice, packing list and export declaration documents. Import declaration for Bhutan follows destination customs requirements, and restricted goods need an import permit or compliance certificate.
Paro is Bhutan's only international air gateway; imports clear there and are distributed to Thimphu and destinations nationwide. Cross-border re-export into Bhutan follows the destination customs rules.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited assesses the connection options for cargo from China to Bhutan, covering mainline booking, transit connections and final-leg transport to Paro.
Visit goodhope86.com for air freight optionsDisclaimer: published by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) to present public cargo information about Drukair. The content is compiled from public sources and is for reference only; it forms no contract of carriage or commitment. Drukair and related names, codes and brand marks belong to their owners. Goodhope Freight is an independent freight forwarder with no ownership, agency or investment relationship with the airline. Actual capacity and rates are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking.