To outsiders, Bhutan is known for its jeweled jungles and soaring peaks, situated as it is on the slopes of the Himalayas. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the country to take in its gorgeous countryside, hike its trails and pay homage to Taktsang Palphug Monastery – a.k.a. the Tiger’s Nest – which is one of the most stunning Buddhist sites on Earth. Clinging to the side of a cliff, and so named for the “tiger lair” caves that tunnel through it, the temple is a remarkable example of 17th century architecture.
In the last several decades, Bhutan has become more and more accessible to outsiders, especially given the motivation tourism provides. As of 2014, Bhutan’s two airlines delivered almost a quarter million passengers to their destinations. It’s an impressive number – but a problem remained.
To Bhutan’s inhabitants, the country is not nearly so navigable. With steep mountain terrain, choked jungles and rivers too fast to use for transport, our nation relies on its network of farm roads. Despite building more than 10,000 kilometers of road in the last 50 years, the terrain still poses a challenge, and goods and services often face interruption.
Plus, Bhutan is landlocked between Tibet and India. As such, it has no ability to transport goods and trade by sea. Given the lack of feasible land on which to build airports, an effective helicopter network becomes even more important to the establishment of viable air services. Together, these reasons provided a solid impetus for the formation of an imperial helicopter company.