The building of the GIA began with a ceremony attended by His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck. Gyalsup and Desuup were among the more than a thousand volunteers who donated their services in the Zhabtog tradition. The Prime Minister, Zhung Dratshang members, GMC representatives, Lams, trulkus, and members of the Gelephu community were among those present. The airport, set to open in 2029, is expected to accommodate Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 planes, with a 3,000-meter runway and 1.3 million passenger capacity.
Built with environmental considerations in mind, the airport will protect the Paitha River’s natural flow, use locally made materials, and provide jobs, training opportunities, and cargo capacity for exports—all while serving as a vital global connection. Liew Mun Leong, the CEO of the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority, announced the groundbreaking for the Gelephu International Airport, marking the start of construction. This was the first step in implementing His Majesty’s GMC at the airport. Construction of the main runway and terminal will start in April 2026. In July 2027, earthworks for land preparation and river diversion will begin, and airport infrastructure will be installed.