National airline organises trip to dispel bad publicity
Drukair 8 July, 2010 - “Not true,” said a Drukair official, on rumours circulating that even the pilots of its leased aircraft are vomiting because of motion sickness from air turbulence.
With more such rumours on the aircraft’s “un-safety” making the rounds, the airline conducted a special flight for a rather large contingent of media personnel, government officials, and other guests yesterday.
In a triumph for the airline, the 45-minute flight, which flew passengers along Bhutan’s northern mountain peaks, experienced minimal turbulence, and the word “smooth” began circulating as fast as the free drinks offered on board.
Back on the ground, Drukair managing director, Tandin Jamtsho, who also was part of the pampered passenger list, explained the objective of the flight. “It was creating bad publicity for us,” he said, on the rumours questioning the air-worthiness of the smaller propeller aircraft, the ATR-42. “We wanted to make the public aware of the safety of this aircraft through the media.”
Flight attendant, Tashi Dorji, dismissed reports that passengers were regularly vomiting, because of air turbulence experienced. But he said some passengers complained of headaches, because of the noise level of the turbo propeller engines. He added that this was a small number, since it was only limited to passengers seated next to either of the aircraft’s two engines.
Kuensel asked long time Drukair pilot, captain Paul Wright, why ATR passengers might be questioning the aircraft’s safety. “I think it’s because they are used to flying in a big jet aero plane,” he said, “and they feel the ATR should be like the airbus.”
He explained that the ATR is designed for short flights and its manoeuverability is “particularly good” for a country like Bhutan.
Drukair also used the flight to market the reintroduction of its ‘mountain flights’, which were discontinued after its BAE 146s were sold. An interested buyer, Namgay Tshering of Namgay adventure travels, said that yesterday’s flight had removed personal doubts about its flight experience; and that he was considering adding it as a possible choice for tourists.
Drukair MD, Tandin Jamtsho, explained that the airline is also trying to get the government to buy its mountain flights, as a way to reward civil servants.
The national airline leased the 48-seater aircraft earlier this year as a substitute for its airbus jets, which are undergoing structural checks beginning this month. Drukair has leased the plane until the end of the year.
Source: kuenselonline.com |
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