MYANMAR Airways International (MAI) is commencing thrice-weekly scheduled flights to Osaka and Seoul this October.
“Last year, we started flights to Japan and South Korea as regular charter flights but from October we will fly as scheduled flights directly from Osaka to Yangon. The number of Japan visitors to Myanmar is rapidly increasing and this is why we decided to start scheduled flights,” said Aye Mra Tha, general manager, MAI.
“Passengers flying by MAI’s Japan and South Korea routes will also get visa on arrival at Yangon International Airport. So far that facility is only offered to passengers coming by MAI’s Cambodia and Guangzhou routes,” she added.
Meanwhile, plans are afoot for tie-ups with other airlines and to refresh MAI’s fleet.
Said Aye Mra Tha: “There are also ongoing discussions to ally with international airlines in order to expand our operations worldwide. At present, we are talking with All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Korean Air.”
She also refuted speculation that ANA will purchase a stake in MAI after cancellation of plans last week to buy into Myanmar carrier Asian Wings Airways, saying MAI would remain 100 per cent owned by KBZ Group of Companies and expand its global network via partnerships.
At the same time, the airline will sell its existing four Airbus 320s and buy four new ones to refresh its fleet, she said.
