Air Asia eyes flights to Bagan with tourism increases

AIR Asia says it’s eying a restart of flights to Nay Pyi Taw from Bangkok and has plans to soon fly to Bagan from the Thai capital as Myanmar becomes a more attractive destination for tourists, a senior official at the budget airline said last week.

“We will look to restart Nay Pyi Taw and one day will fly direct to Bagan, as well as increasing the flight numbers and schedule to Mandalay in the near future,” said Tony Fernandes, the group central executive officer of Air Asia, speaking to press near Kuala Lumpur International Airport on September 15.

Mr Fernandes did not give an exact date as to when the flights would begin, but said it was only a matter of time given the tourism potential of the country.

“Myanmar is an amazing country that has snow at the north, sea and jungle at the south,” he said. “That is a reason that we hope to increase the capacity a lot to Myanmar.”

The Department of Civil Aviation is upgrading many of the smaller domestic airports around the country in anticipation of being able to increase capacity and allow for international carriers.

“It will benefit local people because more tourists will come and visit to Bagan,” said U Phyo Wai Yarzar, former chair of the Myanmar Tourism Marketing Committee.