Bhutanese Royal Family Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for Gelephu International Airport

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

On July 8, 2025, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan, accompanied by Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen, attended a ceremony marking the beginning of construction on the Gelephu International Airport (GIA). The airport is scheduled for completion in 2029 and represents the first major infrastructure component of the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

Their Majesties were joined by over a thousand Desuup and Gyalsup volunteers to offer zhabtog—a tradition of voluntary service that has contributed to the building of homes, monuments, and infrastructure for communities and the nation for centuries.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen

With the groundbreaking ceremony held on July 8, earthworks for river diversion and land preparation have begun. Main construction on the runway and terminal will commence in April 2026, followed by airport systems installation in July 2027. Testing and commissioning are scheduled to take place starting in March 2029, leading to the inauguration of the Gelephu International Airport in December 2029.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema, Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Jigme Ugyen
3 Comments
  1. Anonymous8/7/25 20:33

    The king and queen are looking beautiful, as always. I adore photo 2, where they hold hands. My heart melts...
    Damsel Dragonfly

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8/7/25 20:39

    These two little boys have grown so much. What lovely family. Just missing is Pss sweetie is always nice to see them.
    css

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8/7/25 22:58

    Un plaisir de voir cette famille.

    Ils se tiennent par la main, j’en suis ravie.

    -Astrid.

    ReplyDelete

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