Myanmar Airways expanding its fleet
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Myanmar Airways Interna-tional (MAI) is expanding its fleet in a big way, apparently in preparation for further opening of the country's economy.
It announced this week that it would buy six new aircraft from France’s ATR, which plans to open a maintenance centre at Yangon International Airport.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on May 6, said Than Tun, managing director of the national flag carrier.
“We will later sign a purchase agreement with ATR,” he said.
ATRs represent over 80 per cent of total orders for regional aircraft up-to 90-seats this year.
Most local airlines are flying domestically using the French-made ATR planes. Aside from MAI, ATR has a number of customers in Myanmar, ranging from Air KBZ, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways. To maintain the aircraft, all have to fly the planes to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Buying new aircraft
Myanmar Airways, founded in September 1948, earlier agreed to buy 10 new Boeing aircraft. It is now operating domestic flights with nine aircraft and two cargo planes.
The announcement followed the agreement signed in February with GE Capital Aviation Services for the leasing of 10 new Boeing aircraft.
It was in line with the decades-old airline’s goal to become the national flag carrier, with the operations in more international routes. It is currently serving all major domestic destinations from its main base at Yangon International Airport. The leasing contract has won the government’s approval.
The only state-owned airline is currently flying to 26 cities with a total of nine passenger aircraft – three ATR 72, one ATR 42, three Beech 1900D, and two Embraer 190. As for cargo aircraft, it is using one MA 60 and one F28.
