Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) will begin flights to Hong Kong and Taiwan later this year, the state-backed carrier announced.
The airline has leased Boeing 737-800s for the routes. The planes are expected to arrive in early October, and they will start regular flights to Hong Kong and Taipei beginning in November.
If MNA can finalise agreements with Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia, the country’s flag carrier will also begin routes to those countries, according to MNA CEO U Than Tun.
MNA was established 67 years ago as Union of Burma Airlines. Before 1992, it had international flights, but later shifted its international routes to MAI (Myanmar Airways International). Last year, the airline was restructured and corporatised, and began leasing aircraft to extend their operations in June.
The company recently announced that they will fly to Singapore starting August 17, operating every day except Saturday.
MNA has announced plans to lease 10 Boeing jets over the next five years, and six ATR turboprop planes over the next three years.
MNA currently flies with Boeing, Embraer and ATR airplanes to 26 domestic destinations, including popular destinations such as Bagan, Mandalay, Heho and Thandwe, which officials say can give the state-run company an edge up on its fledgling competitors.
Source: Myanmar Business Today