BHUTAN flag carrier Druk Air intends to launch twice-weekly services between Paro and Mumbai on September 1, coinciding with the scheduled introduction of flights to Singapore around the same period (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 6, 2012).

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily during the recently-concluded PATA Adventure Travel & Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2012 in Paro, Sonam Wangchuk, manager, marketing & planning, Druk Air, said: “Mumbai was selected as it is a key hub for domestic and international air traffic in India. With the new flights, Druk Air will be able to tap demand from the central and southern parts of India.”

Wangchuk warned, however, that the Mumbai flights might not take off as scheduled if the airline is unable to obtain a third A319 aircraft, similar to the situation with the launch of Singapore services—already postponed twice before.

“Druk Air has ordered another A319 from Airbus, but the plane will not be delivered until 2015,” he explained. “Consequently, the airline is looking to lease a plane so that we can offer these (Mumbai) flights as planned.”

Draft plans have been drawn up to configure the aircraft with seating for 12 business-class and 120 economy-class passengers, Wangchuk added.