[9] The airport was constructed with a 1,200 m (3,900 ft) runway,[10] giving the Bhutanese government specific requirements for a choice of aircraft to be operated from Paro.

Three aircraft types were considered after flight tests that had been conducted in India and Bhutan between 1978 and 1980; however, none was deemed suitable.

The exact time of landing, the number of passengers on board and even the direction the aircraft was parked on the airport apron were predetermined by the high lama of Paro Dzong.

At the time of service commencement, Paro Airport consisted of the runway, a two-room air traffic control building (with the ground floor acting as the check-in counter) and a departure lounge on the lawn.

[11] Before the establishment of the Department of Civil Aviation in January 1986, Drukair was also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the airport's infrastructure.

[13][14] A hangar was constructed for the aircraft, which was funded by the Indian government as part of the Paro Airport Development Project.