Myanmar Air Developments

Myanmar is a fascinating destination, which has been discovered by millions of tourists in recent years. There are several luxury hotels in Yangon and colonial-style properties in Mandalay, in order to meet the high demand for accommodation. Additionally, Myanmar visa rules have been simplified and visitors from certain destinations can obtain their visas on arrival. All this has an effect on the numbers of tourist arrivals.

The prediction is for an increase in annual visitors to 6,000,000 in 2017. By 2030, the number of passengers is expected to increase to 30 million. However, such growth in tourism really depends on improvements in infrastructure.

There is a need for better airport infrastructure to cope with the development of the tourism industry. The great distances between the main cities and places of interest require aerial developments in the coming years. That is why Myanmar’s aviation industry has opened its doors to foreign investment.

Companies have recognized the huge potential of Yangon’s hotels and other tourism-related businesses and are looking for investment opportunities. The fast-growing airline industry in Myanmar attracts many international airlines to increase their services to the country, which appears to be the most neglected market in Southeast Asia.

There are eight airlines in Myanmar: Air Mandalay, Air KBZ, GMA, Yangon Airways, Air Bagan, Asia Wings and Mann Yadanapon. Three of them are already interested in operating airports in Myanmar. Myanmar Airways International will buy new planes, in response to the massive increase in tourism. There will also be more flights from Yangon, Mandalay and the capital Nay Pyi Daw.

The first plane of Mann Yadanapon airline landed at Yangon International Airport. A new ATR 72-600 based aircraft has started flying to domestic destinations such as Yangon, Nyaung and Heho. The new plane has arrived from Toulouse, France, where it was manufactured. The second plane will arrive in Yangon at the end of March and the third plane will arrive in November. Currently, more than 20 foreign airlines operate in Myanmar. Bangkok Airways, for example, has launched new services to Myanmar’s capital, Nay Pyi Daw.

Myanmar has 49 airports, three international and 46 domestic. Last year, there was a record 4,000,000 visitors at Myanmar’s domestic airports. The largest number of visitors landed at Yangon International Airport, followed by Mandalay International Airport and Heho Airport. By April 2014, Myanmar’s airports, including the state-of-the-art airport in the capital, Nay Pyi Daw, will be converted to private sector use and open to foreign international investors.

Private investors have been invited to upgrade 30 domestic airlines in Myanmar. Initial access to this market has been granted to Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and China. Myanmar is also considered a key market for low-cost airlines, as many workers in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Thailand are from Myanmar.