Bhutan's Druk Air Lands in Israel After 45-Year Absence

Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan, is launching a series of five direct flights from Israel to the Himalayan kingdom during February and March. This marks the first time in 45 years that the airline will land in Israel, offering Israelis direct access to the previously remote destination. The flights will be operated on an Airbus A320 with approximately 110 seats, featuring both business and economy classes, and will take about seven hours. Organized tours, lasting eight days for small groups of up to 16 travelers, will be offered in conjunction with the flights. These tours include stays in five-star hotels on a full-board basis and are priced at $5,395 per person, inclusive of Bhutan's visa and sustainable development fee. The journey includes a landing at Paro Airport, situated in a narrow valley at 2,200 meters, which is considered one of the most challenging commercial landings globally, requiring specialized pilot certification. Bhutan, known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon," has a "high value, low volume" tourism policy to preserve its culture and natural environment. The country opened to international tourism in 1974 and has a population of around 800,000. It offers dramatic landscapes, ancient fortresses, cliffside monasteries, and a rich traditional culture. Previously, Druk Air only operated routes to destinations in Asia and the Middle East. The new service to Israel, facilitated by local representative Tal Aviation and tour company Caminos, represents the airline's inaugural landing at Ben Gurion Airport.