Bhutan Overflight Permits Regulations 2025

Do you need a permit for bhutan overflight?

Bhutan, as a nation, upholds its unique set of rules, regulations, and procedures when it comes to granting permits for aircraft intending to land or access its airspace. Whether you're overseeing a private flight, participating in general aviation, managing a charter or scheduled flight, or engaged in passenger or cargo transport, adherence to mandatory Prior Permission is imperative. The application process requires the thorough submission of comprehensive flight details and aircraft documents.

In alignment with the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority's Aeronautical Information Publication (Bhutan AIP) and the designated air traffic routes in Bhutan, any aircraft owner or operator planning to fly in Bhutani airspace must apply for Bhutan overflight clearance through the Air Transport Department at least 48 working hours before the scheduled flight departure. It's essential to include AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network) in your flight plan, and for Bhutan, only an overfly permit is necessary.

These terms would help you find more specific information regarding the rules and requirements for obtaining overflight permits in Bhutan.

Required Details for Obtaining Bhutan Overflight Permit Application

1 - Flight Schedule
2 - Entry / Exit Points with ATC Route
3 - Lead Passenger Details
4 - Consignee & Consigner Details for Cargo Flights
5 - Aircraft Documents [ AOC, COA, COI, CON, COR]

Permit Validity

- Bhutan Overflight Permit is valid for +72 hours.

For those intending to execute a passenger flight landing or technical stop, the Bhutan Airports Authority has specific regulations overseeing the issuance of Bhutan Overflight Permits, often involving associated charges. These charges typically cover Route Navigation Facility Charges for overflight, as well as landing and parking fees for aircraft making stops.

Being a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Bhutan requires strict compliance with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) general rules for international air traffic. This encompasses adherence to regulations concerning the transport of troops, equipment, materials, and dangerous goods. For more comprehensive information, please reach out to us.

Aviation Regulations Bhutan

Aviation regulations in Bhutan are overseen by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) under the Ministry of Information and Communications. These regulations are crucial for ensuring the safety, security, and efficient operation of the aviation sector in the country. Here's an overview of the key components and aspects of Bhutan's aviation regulations:

Key Components of Bhutan's Aviation Regulations:

Civil Aviation Act:

The Civil Aviation Act of Bhutan provides the legal framework for civil aviation activities in the country. It outlines the principles, rules, and guidelines for the regulation and oversight of aviation operations.

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA):

The DCA is the regulatory authority responsible for implementing and enforcing civil aviation regulations in Bhutan. It formulates policies, issues regulations, conducts inspections, and ensures compliance with national laws and international standards.

Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs):

The CARs issued by the DCA specify detailed rules and standards covering various aspects of aviation operations, including:

Airworthiness standards for aircraft.

Flight operations, including pilot licensing and training requirements.

Air traffic management and control procedures.

Airport operations, infrastructure standards, and safety measures.

Airport Management:

Airports in Bhutan are managed and operated by the Department of Civil Aviation, which ensures compliance with safety, security, and operational standards set forth in the CARs.

International Agreements and Standards:

Bhutan is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and adheres to its standards and recommended practices (SARPs). The DCA works to align Bhutan's aviation regulations with international standards to facilitate safe and efficient air transport operations.

Important Areas of Regulation:

Safety and Security:

Regulations ensure that aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness adhere to stringent safety standards to mitigate risks and ensure safe flights. Aviation security measures are also enforced to protect passengers, crew, and airport facilities.

Licensing and Certification:

Pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals must obtain licenses and certifications issued by the DCA. Aircraft and airlines operating in Bhutan must comply with certification requirements to ensure safe and lawful operations.

Air Traffic Management:

Air traffic control services in Bhutanese airspace are provided according to international standards to ensure safe and efficient management of air traffic flows. Regulations cover airspace management, communication protocols, and navigation aids.

Consumer Protection:

Regulations protect passengers' rights, including compensation for flight delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and mishandled baggage. They also ensure transparency in fare pricing and booking conditions.

Recent Developments:

Bhutan's aviation sector has seen developments aimed at enhancing safety, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. Recent initiatives include:

Airport Infrastructure Development:

Investments in upgrading and modernizing airports such as Paro International Airport to improve operational efficiency and accommodate increasing passenger traffic.

Technological Advancements:

Adoption of advanced technologies in air traffic management, airport operations, and aviation safety to enhance overall aviation capabilities.

Regulatory Updates:

Implementation of new regulations and updates to existing CARs to align with international standards and improve safety and regulatory oversight.

Conclusion:

Understanding and complying with Bhutan's aviation regulations is essential for all stakeholders in the aviation industry, including airlines, airport operators, and aviation service providers. For specific and detailed regulatory requirements, consulting the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and referring to the latest legal documents and guidelines issued by Bhutanese authorities is recommended. These regulations play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, security, and efficiency of Bhutan's aviation sector while supporting its growth and development in the region.

Overflight Permits Category’s for Adhoc and Private

1 - Overflight Permits (Charter Passenger Flights)
2 - Overflight Permits (Private Passenger Flights)
3 - Overflight Permits (Non-Schedule Cargo Flights)

Overflight Permits Category’s for Block :

1 - Monthly Block Overflight Permits (For Scheduled and Non-schedule Airlines Flights)
2 - Seasonal Block Overflight Permits (Scheduled Commercial Airlines Flights)

Overflight Permit Charge's

We do not charge any type of hidden cost in Civil Aviation Permit Processing Cost and Bhutan Overflight Permits Procedures. Our fee is straight and direct without any additional fees in Bhutan Overflight Permit We do not require large upfront deposits or commitments. We strive to develop long term relationships and we work hard to earn your referrals. Besides receiving essential financial monthly reports these very particular customers expect to entirely rely on professional teams and they offer just that. This trust is earned through our administrative and financial control, as well as our services standards of work.

Flight Information Region In Bhutan

Bhutan Airspace is divided into -- Flight Information Regions (FIRs)

1 - N/A

Bhutan FIRs ( Entry / Exit Points ) :

West Bound Entry Point	West Bound Exit Point	East Bound Entry Point	East Bound Exit Point

International Trip Support Services

We provide comprehensive and personalized flight planning and International Trip Planning services to the corporate aviation industry. Our dedicated and experienced staff work together to ensure you have a smooth trip that is tailored to your particular needs. with years of international flight planning experience, the latest trip coordination technology, and a dedication to high-quality customer service, each member of our knowledgeable team is equipped with the tools to exceed your expectations.

Our proficient flight support team offering unrivalled support services to any International & Domestic Airports in Bhutan along with their expertise, our permit2fly team can arrange Bhutan Overflight Permits for Ad-hoc Charter Flights, Scheduled Airline Seasonal Block Permits from Civil Aviation Authority of Bhutan according to their legal time frame.

Trust Permit2fly, to handle all your ground supervisory at Bhutan airports and obtain Bhutan overflight and Landing permit for any of your aircrafts to operate in the territory of Bhutan.

About Bhutan | History - Geography

Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, the Sikkim state of India and the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, China in the west and south, Northeast Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, West Bengal in the south. Bhutan is geopolitically in South Asia and is the region's second least populous nation after the Maldives.

The Given Below Information Is Extracted from the Bhutan AIP

Procedure Of Submission a Flight Plan

A flight plan shall be submitted in accordance with ICAO Annex 2, 3.3.1, prior to operating:

a- Any flight or portion thereof to be provided with air traffic control service.

b- Any IFR flight within advisory airspace.

c- Any flight within or into designated areas, or along designated routes, when so required by the appropriate ATS authority to facilitate the provision of flight information, alerting and search and rescue services.

d- Any flight within or into designated areas, or along designated routes, when so required by the appropriate ATS authority to facilitate co-ordination with appropriate military units or with air traffic service units in adjacent States in order to avoid the possible need for interception for the purpose of identification.

e- Any flight across international borders. A flight plan shall be submitted before departure to an air traffic services reporting office or, during flight, transmitted to the appropriate air traffic services unit or air-ground control radio station, unless arrangements have been made for submission of repetitive flight plans.
Unless otherwise prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority, a flight plan for a flight to be provided with air traffic control service or air traffic advisory service shall be submitted at least sixty minutes before departure, or, if submitted during flight, at a time which will ensure its receipt by the appropriate air traffic services unit at least ten minutes before the aircraft is estimated to reach.
i) The intended point of entry into a control area or advisory area.
ii) The point of crossing an airway or advisory route.

Time Of Submission

Except for repetitive flight plans, a flight plan shall be submitted at least two hours prior to departure, taking into account the requirements of ATS units in the airspace along the route to be flown for timely information, for obtaining ADC and FIC clearances. If submitted during flight, at a time which will ensure its receipt by the appropriate air traffic services unit at least ten minutes before the aircraft is estimated to reach:

a) The intended point of entry into a control area or advisory area.

b) The point of crossing an airway or advisory route.

Place Of Submission

Flight plans shall be submitted at ATC Reporting Office (ARO), at the departure aerodrome.

VFR Flight Plan For Alerting Service Only

An alerting service is, in principle, provided to flights for which a flight plan has been submitted.

Contents And Form Of A Flight Plan

a) ICAO flight plan forms are available at ATC Reporting Office (ARO). The instructions for completing those forms shall be followed.

b) Flight plans concerning IFR flights along ATS routes need to include FIR boundary estimates.

Adherence To ATS Route Structure

No flight plans shall be filed for routes deviating from the published ATS route structure.

Authorization For Special Flights

Flights of a specific character, such as survey flights, scientific research flights, etc. may be exempted from the restriction specified above. A request for exemption shall be mailed so as to be received at least one week before the intended day of operation to the Director.

Repetitive Flight Plan System

The Procedures concerning the use of Repetitive Flight Plans conform to ICAO Doc 7030 and the PANS ATM.

RPL lists relating to flights in and to flights overflying the Bhutan airspace shall be submitted at least two weeks in advance.

RPL lists shall be replaced in their entirety by new lists prior to the introduction of the summer and winter schedules.

Incidental changes to and cancellations of RPL relating to departure shall be notified as early as possible and not later than 30 minutes before departure to the ATC.

Delay

When a specific flight is likely to encounter delay of one hour or more in excess of the departure time stated in the RPL, the ATS unit serving the departure aerodrome shall be notified immediately.

Note.: Failure to comply with this procedure may result in the automatic cancellation of the RPL for that specific flight at one or more of the ATS units concerned.

ATS Messages

For a flight operated on an RPL, no flight plan message (FPL) will be transmitted. Departure message (DEP) or delay message (DLA) relating to such flights will be transmitted to ATS unit outside Bhutan.

Changes To The Submitted Flight Plan

All changes to a flight plan submitted for an IFR flight or a controlled VFR flight and significant changes to a flight plan submitted shall be reported as soon as possible to the appropriate ATS unit. In the event of a delay in departure of 30 minutes or more for a flight for which a flight plan has been submitted, the flight plan shall be amended or a new flight plan shall be submitted after the old plan has been cancelled.

Whenever a flight, for which a flight plan has been submitted, is cancelled, the appropriate ATS unit shall be informed immediately.

Change to a current flight plan for a controlled flight shall be reported or requested, subject to the provisions in ICAO Annex 2, 3.6.2. (Adherence to flight plan). Significant changes to a flight plan include changes in endurance or in the total number of persons on board and changes in time estimates of 30 minutes or more.

Arriving Report (Closing A Flight Plan)

A report of arrival shall be made at the earliest possible moment after landing to the airport office of the arrival aerodrome by any flight for which a flight plan has been submitted except when the arrival has been acknowledged by the local ATS unit. After landing at an aerodrome which is not the destination aerodrome (diversionary landing), the local ATS unit shall be specifically informed accordingly.

In the absence of a local ATS unit at the aerodrome of diversionary landing, the pilot is responsible for passing the arrival report to the destination aerodrome.

Arrival reports shall contain the following elements of information:

a) Aircraft identification

b) Departure aerodrome

c) Destination aerodrome

d) Time of arrival

In the case of diversion, insert the “arrival aerodrome” between “destination aerodrome: and “time of arrival.

Addressing Of Flight Plan Messages

Flight movement messages relating to traffic into or via the Bhutan airspace shall be addressed as stated below in order to warrant correct relay or delivery.

Note:Flight movement messages in this context comprise flight plan messages relating thereto and flight plan cancellation messages (ICAO PANS-ATM refers)

Category Of Flight (IFR, VFR or both)	Route - Into Or Via FIR and/or TMA	Message Address
1	2	3
All flights (IFR/VFR)	PARO Aerodrome	VQPRZTZX, VQPRZPZX
All flights (IFR/VFR)	BUMTHNAG Aerodrome	VQBTZTZX VQPRZPZX
All flights (IFR/VFR)	GELEPHU Aerodrome	VQGPZTZX VQPRZPZX
All flights (IFR/VFR)	YONPHULA Aerodrome	VQTYZTZX VQPRZPZX

Classification Of Airspace

ATS airspace are classified and designated in accordance with the following:

Class A-IFR flights only are permitted all flights are provided with air traffic control service clearance and are separated from each other.

Class B-IFR and VFR flights are permitted. All flights are provided with air traffic control service clearance and are separated from each other.

Class C-IFR and VFR flights are permitted; all flights are provided with air traffic control service clearance and are separated from other IFR flight and from VFR flights. VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of other VFR flights.

Class D-IFR and VFR flights are permitted and all flights are provided with air traffic control service clearance. IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of VFR flights, VFR flights receive traffic information in respect of all other flights.

Class E-IFR and VFR flights are permitted IFR flights are provided with air traffic control service clearance and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic information as far as practicable.

Class F-IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all participating IFR flights receive an air traffic advisory service and all flights receive flight information service if requested

Class G-IFR and VFR flights are permitted and receive flight information service if requested

The airspace over Bhutan is classified as D* in CTR and F outside CTR.