Paro International Airport (PBH) Paro District, Bhutan
Paro International Airport (IATA: PBH, ICAO: VQPR) is Bhutan’s principal and sole international airport. It is located in the Paro Valley, beside the Pa Chhu/Paro Chhu River, and serves Paro and Thimphu. The airport is operated by Bhutan’s Department of Air Transport (DoAT), Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Paro International Airport |
| IATA code | PBH |
| ICAO code | VQPR |
| Location | Paro District, Bhutan |
| Serves | Paro and Thimphu |
| Operator | Department of Air Transport, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport |
| Airport type | International, public airport |
| Elevation | About 2,235 m / 7,332 ft |
| Distance from Paro town | About 3.5 km according to the current DoAT airport page |
| Distance from Thimphu | About 54 km by road |
| Runway | One asphalt runway |
| Runway designation | 15/33 |
| Operating hours | Sunrise to sunset |
| Flight conditions | Flights are permitted under visual meteorological conditions and are restricted to daylight |
| Airport code for flight searches | PBH |
| Official airport website | Paro International Airport official website |
| Official aviation authority information | Department of Air Transport — Paro Airport |
| Wikipedia | Paro International Airport — Wikipedia |
The current DoAT information gives the runway as 1,964 m (6,445 ft), while Wikipedia currently lists a different runway length of 2,265 m (7,431 ft). For operational/aviation purposes, the official DoAT/AIP information should be preferred.
Important airport contact numbers
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| Paro International Airport / Department of Air Transport | +975 8-271403 |
| Paro International Airport — Immigration | +975 8-27172 |
| Airport general email | doat@doat.gov.bt |
| Airport postal address | Department of Air Transport, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Paro International Airport, Bhutan, P.O. Box 1220 |
| Airport official contact page | DoAT Contact Us |
| Airport website contact page | Paro Airport Contact Us |
The Department of Immigration specifically publishes +975 8-27172 for Paro International Airport, while DoAT publishes +975 8-271403 as the airport/department contact.
Emergency numbers at Paro Airport / Bhutan
For an immediate emergency, use Bhutan’s national emergency short codes:
| Emergency | Number |
|---|---|
| 🚓 Police / Crime emergency | 113 |
| 🚒 Fire & Rescue | 110 |
| 🚑 Ambulance / Health emergency | 112 |
| 🚦 Traffic Police | 111 |
| Disaster Communication Helpline | 999 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Paro International Airport
1. What is the airport code for Paro International Airport?
The IATA code is PBH and the ICAO code is VQPR.
2. Where is Paro International Airport located?
It is in Paro District, Bhutan, in the Paro Valley, approximately 3.5 km from Paro town.
3. Is PBH the main international airport in Bhutan?
Yes. Paro is Bhutan’s sole international airport among the country’s four airports.
4. How far is Paro Airport from Thimphu?
It is approximately 54 km by road from Thimphu.
5. What are Paro Airport’s opening hours?
The official airport information states that operating hours are from sunrise to sunset.
6. Can flights land at Paro Airport at night?
Normal flight operations are restricted to daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset.
7. Why are flights to Paro sometimes delayed or cancelled?
Paro operations are particularly dependent on visibility, weather and daylight, because flights operate under visual meteorological conditions and the airport is situated in a mountainous valley.
8. How many runways does Paro Airport have?
Paro has one asphalt runway, runway 15/33.
9. Does Paro Airport have an international terminal?
Yes. Paro operates international passenger arrivals and departures through its main terminal complex. It does not have the multiple-terminal layout found at many major international hubs.
10. Does Paro Airport have restaurants?
Yes. The airport’s official information lists restaurants and cafeterias among its public facilities.
11. Is there a VIP lounge at Paro Airport?
Yes. The airport lists a VIP lounge among its facilities.
12. Is there a taxi service at PBH?
Yes. Taxi service is listed among the airport’s public facilities.
13. What is the emergency number for an ambulance at Paro Airport?
Call 112 for ambulance/health emergencies in Bhutan.
14. What is the fire emergency number in Bhutan?
Call 110 for Fire & Rescue Services.
15. What is the police emergency number?
Call 113 for the police/general emergency hotline.
16. What is Paro Airport’s official phone number?
The Department of Air Transport publishes +975 8-271403 for Paro International Airport.
17. What is the Paro Airport Immigration contact number?
Bhutan’s Department of Immigration lists +975 8-27172 for Paro International Airport.
18. What is the official website of Paro International Airport?
The airport’s official website is paroairport.com. The government aviation authority’s airport information is available through DoAT.gov.bt.
19. Where can I find the Wikipedia page for Paro Airport?
Paro International Airport — Wikipedia
20. Where can I find official NOTAM/AIP information for PBH?
The Bhutan Department of Air Transport publishes its e-AIP, including aerodrome information for VQPR, amendments and NOTAM-related aviation information.