Bhutan’s Gelephu International Airport Set to Redefine International Travel with Innovative Eco-Design, Mindfulness Zones, and Scenic Mountain

Published on March 11, 2025

Bhutan’s Gelephu International Airport, opening in 2029, will redefine travel with eco-friendly design, wellness areas, and breathtaking natural surroundings.

Local artisans have played a key role in designing the new airport, which will feature dedicated spaces for yoga and meditation.

A groundbreaking airport set amidst Bhutan’s stunning forests and mountains is set to transform travel to the South Asian country. Gelephu International Airport, slated for completion in 2029, will be Bhutan’s second international gateway.

Spanning 68,000 square meters, the terminal is projected to serve 5.5 million passengers annually by 2065. The design, created by BIG in collaboration with aviation engineering firm NACO, promises to blend modern functionality with Bhutan’s natural beauty.

The arrival area will be segmented into four distinct zones, each filled with native vegetation, seating, and sheltered canopies. Inside, the airport will showcase extensive greenery, including the Forest Spine – a central courtyard that divides the terminal into two sections: one for domestic flights on the west and one for international flights on the east. With its abundance of skylights and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, the Forest Spine will provide a bright, natural walking space for travelers.

Mindfulness areas for yoga, gong baths, and meditation will also be incorporated into the design. Additionally, a “mobility hub” will link Gelephu to the rest of Bhutan via trams and buses.

Later this year, Gelephu International Airport will be introduced to the global audience at the Venice Architecture Biennale, giving the world a first glimpse of this innovative project.