Gangtok, April 4 (IANS) Bhutan's flagship carrier Druk Air will launch a new flight April 18 connecting Bagdogra in West Bengal with Paro in Bhutan and Thai capital Bangkok, it was announced here Saturday.

An Airbus A-319 aircraft will fly the Paro-Bagdogra-Bangkok route twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Druk Air chief executive Tandin Jamso told reporters here.

The flight will return from Bangkok Wednesdays and Sundays.

Sikkim Tourism Secretary S.B.S. Bhadauria, who was also present at the press conference, expressed hope that the new service would help increase the international tourist inflow to Sikkim and the entire region.

He also urged the Druk Air management to complete the required formalities in advance so that it can start flying the Sikkim circuit soon after the airport here becomes operational.

Currently, the nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra, some 124 km from here.

Jamso assured that Druk Air would be the first airline to start operations in Sikkim once the airport is ready.

Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) general secretary Lukendra Rasaily welcomed the new service, saying it would change the face of tourism in the region.

'The new air service will also help international tourists to come to Sikkim via Bangkok,' he said.