Air travel between India and Bhutan is set to become easier with a new interline partnership between Air India and Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines. Announced on August 26, 2026, the agreement will allow passengers to combine flights operated by both airlines under a single-ticket itinerary, opening smoother connections to Bhutan and beyond.
The partnership is particularly significant for travellers heading to Paro, Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula, while Drukair passengers will gain better access to Air India's extensive domestic and international network.
What Is the New Air India–Drukair Partnership?
The agreement is an interline partnership, meaning eligible journeys can combine Air India and Drukair flights on a single booking.
According to Air India, the arrangement provides:
Single-ticket itineraries combining both airlines
Coordinated passenger transfers
Baggage transfer to the final destination
Interline fares
Easier connections through Delhi
Better access between India, Bhutan and international destinations
This is different from booking two completely separate flights. Air India's own partnership guidance says codeshare and interline arrangements can enable multi-airline journeys on a single ticket, with through-check-in and baggage transfer available under applicable arrangements.
Easier Access to Bhutan for Air India Passengers
One of the biggest benefits is the expanded access to Bhutan.
Air India passengers travelling from its international network can connect through Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and continue to Paro (PBH) on Drukair.
From Paro, travellers can also connect onward to:
Bumthang (BUT)
Gelephu (GLU)
Yonphula (YON)
This gives travellers greater flexibility when planning Bhutan itineraries beyond the country's main gateway at Paro.
Important: Air India does not operate a direct Bhutan flight
The partnership does not mean Air India itself will operate flights to Bhutan.
Instead, Drukair will operate the relevant Bhutan sectors, while the interline arrangement allows eligible Air India and Drukair segments to be combined into a single itinerary.
What Happens to Your Baggage?
For eligible itineraries, passengers can benefit from coordinated baggage handling through to the final destination.
This can be particularly useful for international travellers connecting in Delhi before continuing to Bhutan because they do not have to manage an entirely separate airline booking for the onward sector.
However, passengers should always check the baggage allowance and through-check conditions displayed on their specific ticket before travelling.
Drukair Passengers Get Wider Access to India
The benefits work both ways.
Drukair passengers will be able to connect through Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata to destinations on Air India's network.
Selected Indian destinations include:
Bengaluru
Mumbai
Kochi
Other Air India domestic destinations
This could make Bhutan more accessible for Indian travellers while simultaneously giving visitors from Bhutan better access to India's major cities.
Bhutan Connected to Major Global Destinations
The partnership also creates onward opportunities for Drukair passengers travelling beyond India.
Air India says the arrangement provides access to major international destinations including:
London Heathrow
Paris Charles de Gaulle
Frankfurt
New York JFK
Newark
San Francisco
Toronto Pearson
Vancouver
Melbourne
Sydney
Colombo
For international travellers, India can therefore serve as an important connecting point between Bhutan and global destinations.
Why Delhi Is Important
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is at the centre of the new arrangement.
Air India will use its Delhi hub to connect passengers arriving from its domestic and international network with Drukair's Bhutan services.
The partnership fits into Air India's broader strategy of using its network and airline partnerships to improve international connectivity from India. In June 2026, Air India also announced its Easy Connect model, designed to connect additional Indian cities with international destinations through its hub network.
Key Routes at a Glance
| Traveller | Connection | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Air India passenger | Air India + Drukair via Delhi | Paro |
| Air India passenger | Drukair onward from Paro | Bumthang |
| Air India passenger | Drukair onward from Paro | Gelephu |
| Air India passenger | Drukair onward from Paro | Yonphula |
| Drukair passenger | Via Delhi, Guwahati or Kolkata | Indian cities |
| Drukair passenger | Air India network | Global destinations |
What This Means for Bhutan Tourism
The agreement comes at a time when Bhutan is strengthening its international tourism connections.
Better air connectivity can make it easier for travellers to combine Bhutan with wider South Asian or international itineraries.
For Indian tourists, the partnership could also simplify journeys to Bhutan's less-accessible destinations by providing onward connections from Paro rather than requiring travellers to arrange separate domestic transportation.
For Bhutan, stronger connections to India's major aviation hubs can support tourism, business travel and international visitor flows.
Strengthening India–Bhutan and SAARC Connectivity
Air India described Bhutan as an important part of the SAARC region and said the partnership supports its objective of strengthening connectivity across its "extended home market."
The airline also said the partnership gives it seamless connectivity to nearly all SAARC countries through its own or partner networks.
Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk described the agreement as an important milestone for expanding the airline's global connectivity and improving passenger access to international markets.
What Travellers Should Know
Before booking an India–Bhutan journey under the new arrangement, passengers should check:
Whether the complete journey is issued as one interline ticket.
The applicable baggage allowance.
Connection times at Delhi or other transfer airports.
The operating airline for each flight sector.
Bhutan entry and immigration requirements.
The final destination and onward connection from Paro.
Any changes to flight schedules before departure.
Booking the complete itinerary under the applicable Air India–Drukair arrangement can be particularly useful for travellers who want a simpler connection experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Air India launching direct flights to Bhutan?
No. The new agreement is an interline partnership. Drukair operates the relevant Bhutan sectors, while Air India passengers can connect to them through eligible itineraries.
Can I book India to Bhutan on one ticket?
Eligible Air India–Drukair itineraries can be combined on a single ticket, subject to availability and applicable booking conditions.
Which Bhutan destinations are included?
The announced onward connections include Paro, Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula.
Will baggage be transferred automatically?
Eligible interline itineraries provide coordinated baggage handling to the final destination. Passengers should verify the baggage and through-check conditions on their individual booking.
Which Indian cities will Drukair passengers be able to access?
The partnership provides connections through Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata into Air India's domestic network, including cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kochi.
Conclusion
The Air India–Drukair interline partnership is an important development for India–Bhutan aviation connectivity. By combining the two airlines' networks, travellers can access single-ticket itineraries, coordinated baggage handling and easier connections between Bhutan, India and major international destinations.
For Indian travellers planning a Bhutan holiday, the biggest attraction is the ability to connect through Delhi and continue beyond Paro to Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula under the expanded network.
As Air India continues expanding its international partnerships, this latest agreement strengthens India's role as a connecting hub for travel across the SAARC region and beyond.
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