Tashi Delek DHI Chairman Om Pradhan launches the revamped in-flight magazine

2 January, 2010 Drukair, the national airline, launched yesterday an internet-based reservation system that will allow booking of Drukair tickets online.

The reservation system, which is linked to the Drukair website, has two categories to cater to businesses and individual customers. “It will now be possible to view the schedule, view the flight information, make reservations, view booked ticket and account statement and even reprint the ticket by just a click,” said Druk Air’s general manager (commercial), Tshering Penjor. “This service will remove difficulties faced with ticket reservation. Just log in to drukair.com.bt.”

Rinzin Ongdra, co-owner Yudruk travels, said that presently one is required to physically go to a Drukair office to do bookings for their guests. “With this system, if a operator has access to a credit card, they could either use it to do the bookings or it could be deducted from an operator’s account,” he said.

“The online system will make things more transparent and easier,” said another tour operator Kinley Gyeltshen, co-partner of Gangri tours & travels. “But the people in Bhutan, who do not have credit cards, will need a bank balance to do the booking.”

Tshering Penjor said that the online reservation system was an old resolution the national airline had made to enhance customers access to Drukair. “The tourism industry should benefit the most,” he said.

“What is needed for this service is credit card facilities, of which there isn’t any in Bhutan and we’re waiting for this facilities to come up soon,” said Tshering Penjor. The interface is now ready and linked to the Drukair website domain and, with the launch, access to Drukair now is only a “click away”.

The revamped in-flight magazine, Tashi Delek, was also launched yesterday by the DHI chairman, Om Pradhan.