Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited (YACL) is increasing the capacity of Yangon International Airport (YIA), the gateway to Myanmar, and stepping up marketing to open new international routes, even as YIA is likely to close 2018 with the slowest growth in air passenger traffic in five years.
At a media briefing today to announce the five millionth passenger arrival so far this year, YACL said that 2018 is expected to show an increase of 2.5% of around 6 million in air passenger traffic at YIA, compared to 5.92 million for the whole of 2017.
YACL took over YIA’s operation and management in October 2015 under a Public-Private Partnership tender from Myanmar’s Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The agreement is for 30 years of operation, with an option to renew for a further 20 years (10+10). Based on the estimated six million arrivals in 2018 and the significant investments to date, YIA is currently operating well below its sustained capacity.
Since early 2018, the management of YIA has embarked on the following enhancements:
– Completion and go-live of Airport Operations Control Center (AOCC) since September 2018
– Full revision of Airport Layout including parking stands (improved safety) since October 2018
– Revamped Apron A to allow eight positions for A320 and B737 types or 10 positions for propeller aircraft; added two taxiways (to total eight currently), expediting runway vacancy
– In-terminal improvements include: 30 new check-in counters at T1 with autonomous multi-level security equipment and five new Baggage Claim Belts at T1 apart from new lounges and F&B outlets.
The number of international airlines using YIA has increased from 25 in October 2015 to 31 currently (with the latest being Sichuan Airline from China making its first flight to YIA on 13 November 2018). The total routes connecting to YIA have increased from 21 international destinations to 29 currently. YIA now connects to 28 domestic destinations and handles seven domestic airlines.
Yangon International Airport (YIA) is strategically located between India and China with two-thirds of the world’s population within six hours’ flying range including cities such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai, Doha, Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei. Serving 31 international airlines and 29 international destinations, YIA handled a total of 5.92 million passengers in 2017.
Source: MenaFN