Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Bhutan Awards Contract for Gelephu Airport Airfield Construction
Bhutan is building a new airport in Gelephu.
The authority overseeing Gelephu Mindfulness City has chosen a joint venture to build the airport’s airfield.
The planned runway will be three kilometres long and able to serve wide-bodied commercial planes.
The project also includes taxiways, parking areas for planes, lighting and an air traffic control tower.
Earthworks are close to finished, and construction areas will be handed over to the airfield contractor in stages.
The airport is expected to open with its passenger terminal in December 2029.
Its goal is to make it easier to travel to Bhutan and Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority awarded the airfield construction contract to Rigsar-Vajra Joint Venture.
The planned airfield includes a three-kilometre runway designed for wide-bodied commercial aircraft, plus taxiways and aircraft parking aprons.
Other planned facilities include airfield lighting, an air traffic control tower, ancillary buildings and specialist airport systems.
Earthworks are nearing completion, and work areas are to be handed over progressively to the airfield contractor over the coming month.
The airport is targeted to open alongside its passenger terminal in December 2029, with the aim of improving connectivity to Bhutan and Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- Who
- The Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority awarded the contract to Rigsar-Vajra Joint Venture.
- What
- Construction of the Gelephu International Airport airfield.
- When
- The airport is targeted to open in December 2029; airfield work is to begin as work areas are handed over over the coming month.
- Where
- Gelephu, Bhutan.
- Why
- To improve air connectivity to Bhutan and Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- Contracting authority
- Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA)
- Airfield contractor
- Rigsar-Vajra Joint Venture (RVJV)
- Planned runway length
- 3 kilometres
- Target opening
- December 2029, alongside the Passenger Terminal Building
- Current runway length
- 1,500 metres
- Airport codes
- IATA: GLU; ICAO: VQGP