Protecting aviation in Bhutan

Our Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) journey and the road ahead

A service shaped by Bhutan

When people think of aviation in Bhutan, they often picture aircraft approaching through dramatic mountain valleys, changing weather and some of the most demanding operating environments in the world. For those of us responsible for aviation rescue and firefighting, that landscape is not simply a beautiful backdrop. It shapes the way we prepare, the way we respond and the responsibility we carry every day.

I am proud to lead and serve alongside the men and women who provide Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Services across Bhutan. Our teams may operate with fewer resources than many larger international airports, but they bring commitment, discipline and a strong sense of duty to every shift. Their role is clear: to be ready when passengers, crew, colleagues and surrounding communities need us most.

Four airports, one shared responsibility

Over the past four decades, Bhutan has steadily developed specialised airport emergency response capability at Paro, Yonphula, Bumthang and Gelephu airports. Each location has its own operating environment and challenges, yet all of our teams share the same purpose.

Our work begins with aircraft rescue and fire fighting, but it does not end there. Airport firefighters also support emergency medical response, search and rescue activities, disaster management and other incidents that affect airport operations or nearby communities. At smaller and more remote airports, personnel must be adaptable. They may be called upon to manage an aircraft emergency one day and assist another agency with a wider community emergency the next.

This broader responsibility is one reason Bhutan is increasingly looking beyond the traditional ARFFS model and towards a more integrated Airport Emergency Services approach. Response to aircraft emergencies will always remain at the centre of our role, but modern airport emergency services must also be prepared to manage medical incidents, hazardous materials, natural disasters, infrastructure emergencies and complex multi-agency events like a response to an earthquake.

Readiness in a demanding environment

Bhutan’s geography makes aviation emergency preparedness especially important. Mountainous terrain, narrow valleys, remote locations and rapidly changing weather can complicate access, communications, aircraft operations and the arrival of supporting agencies. In an emergency, there may be little margin for delay.

For our firefighters, readiness means far more than having fire trucks parked in a station. It means knowing the airport, understanding the aircraft we protect, maintaining vehicles and equipment, practising command and communication, and building strong working relationships with airport operators, hospitals, police, disaster management agencies and other responders.

It also means accepting that the competence of our personnel must be maintained continually. A response plan that is not exercised, equipment that is not tested or a team that does not train together cannot be relied upon when conditions are at their most difficult. Regular drills and exercises help us test not only our technical skills, but also our decision-making, leadership and coordination with partner agencies.

The people behind the capability

Fire trucks, protective clothing, breathing apparatus and extinguishing agents are essential, but equipment alone does not create an effective emergency service. Our real capability comes from our people!

Bhutan’s airport firefighters operate in an environment where access to specialist ARFF training can be challenging. Although we have a small aircraft training rig, our personnel have greatly benefited from the support of ex-country trainings.

The trainings delivered were world-class and has made a noticeable difference across our operation. It has strengthened the knowledge and practical skills of our firefighters, improved their confidence, and helped develop a more professional and positive attitude and culture towards training, readiness and operational performance.

As a result of the training, our personnel have a passion to learn, adapt and improve. Every opportunity to train with experienced international instructors, exchange ideas with other airport fire services or take part in joint exercises strengthens our capability. Just as importantly, the knowledge brought home must be shared. Developing local instructors, supervisors and future leaders is vital if our progress is to be sustainable.

One of the priorities is to ensure that our firefighters see a clear professional pathway within the service. We need to attract capable people, retain their experience and give them opportunities to develop as firefighters, instructors, crew leaders and officers. Strong leadership at every level is what turns procedures and equipment into a dependable operational response.

Preparing for aviation growth

Bhutan’s aviation sector is entering an important period. Passenger movements and operational demands are expected to grow, while major developments associated with Gelephu and the “Gelephu Mindfulness City Initiative” will create new opportunities for the country.

With that growth comes greater responsibility. Larger aircraft, increased traffic and expanding airport infrastructure can produce more complex emergency scenarios. Our emergency services will need sufficient trained personnel, appropriate vehicles and equipment, reliable communications, suitable training facilities and effective emergency coordination arrangements.

The development of Gelephu International Airport will therefore require emergency capability to be considered from the beginning, not added as an afterthought. Station locations, response routes, water supplies, communications, emergency operations facilities, mutual-aid arrangements and access for supporting agencies all need to be incorporated into airport planning. The most effective emergency response starts long before an alarm is raised.

Why this matters beyond the airport fence

Strengthening Airport Emergency Services is not only an aviation issue. Bhutan’s airports are important national infrastructure. They support tourism, trade, government services, medical evacuation, regional connectivity and disaster response. When an airport is resilient, the benefits extend well beyond passengers and airlines.

A capable emergency service protects life, supports the safe expansion of air services and gives confidence to the travelling public. It also reassures airline operators, regulators, business partners and visitors that Bhutan is committed to maintaining safe and reliable aviation operations.

This is particularly important for a country such as ours, where aviation provides a critical connection between communities and the wider world. Investment in emergency preparedness is therefore an investment in national resilience, economic development and public confidence.

A message to the international ARFF community

ARFF firefighters around the world understand that our services may differ in size, equipment and operating environment, but the responsibility is the same. When an aircraft is in difficulty, the people on board depend on a small group of responders being ready to act immediately and professionally.

Bhutan has much to learn from the international ARFF community, and we also have experiences to share. Operating in remote and mountainous environments teaches us the importance of adaptability, teamwork and making the best possible use of available resources. International partnerships, instructor exchanges, technical guidance and access to practical training can make a significant difference to a developing service.

As Chief Fire Officer, I am proud of how far our teams have come, but I am also very conscious of the work still ahead. We need to continue building our workforce, improving equipment, developing local training capability, strengthening multi-agency coordination and preparing for the next generation of aviation in Bhutan.

Our goal is not simply to meet a standard on paper. It is to build an emergency service that our passengers, colleagues and communities can trust. With continued support, thoughtful planning and the dedication of our firefighters, I believe Bhutan can develop a resilient and modern Airport Emergency Services capability; one that reflects international good practice while remaining practical for our country and our unique operating environment.

To our fellow ARFF professionals around the world: we value your experience, your friendship and your willingness to share knowledge. We look forward to continuing that journey together.

Contributed by

Major (Retd) Dorji Khandu