Tag Archives: RGN

Air Bagan suspends operations, vows to return in October

Air Bagan (Yangon) suspended all operations on August 16. The company is vowing to reorganize and return in October with additional aircraft. The company has been struggling since an ATR 72-500 with 49 passengers skidded off the runway on landing at Yangon on July 24 in a heavy rainstorm. The airline was down to one operational ATR 72 and could not maintain its schedules.

Air Bagan started operations on November 15, 2004.

Read more from the Myanmar Times: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) XY-AIK (msn 592) taxies at the Yangon base.

Air Bagan aircraft slide show:

Route Map (click on the map for the full size view):

Air KBZ to start its first international route

Air KBZ (Air Kanbawza) (Yangon) will start its first international route on August 1. The airline will launch a new route linking Yangon with Chiang Mai, Thailand per China Daily.

Air KBZ commenced scheduled passenger operations on domestic routes on April 2, 2011.

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) XY-AJJ (msn 1085) taxies at the Yangon base.

Air KBZ aircraft slide show:

Myanmar National Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-800, painted in a new livery

Myanmar National Airlines (formerly Myanma Airways) (Yangon) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) yesterday (June 11) celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first Next-Generation 737-800 leased from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing arm of GE. The celebration also marked the first all-new Boeing airplane to be delivered to any Myanmar-based airline.

The airplane is the first to feature Myanmar National Airlines’ new livery and interior, and the airline plans to expand its network outside Myanmar with the introduction of its 737.

“Our new 737 will allow us to expand our network to international markets and offer an even better experience for our passengers,” said Myanmar National Airlines CEO Than Tun. “Investing in new technology aircraft such as the 737 will ensure Myanmar National Airlines continues to be the pride of the country and positions us for future success.”

Myanmar National Airlines, previously Myanma Airways (below), has the most extensive route network within Myanmar, serving more than 25 domestic locations, and is headquartered in Yangon.

Copyright Photo above: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Myanma Airways Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW XY-AGP (msn 19000154) taxies at Yangon.

Founded in 1948 as Union of Burma Airways (below), the flag carrier is also one of Asia’s pioneering airlines.

Copyright Photo above: Christian Volpati/AirlinersGallery.com. Union of Burma Airways Boeing 727-193 XY-ADR (msn 19620) is pictured at Hong Kong.

Top Photo: Boeing. The formal ceremonies of the handover of Myanmar National Airlines new Boeing 737-86N XY-ALB (msn 43405) at Seattle’s Boeing Field via GECAS.

The former CEO of Air Mandalay questions whether it can resume operations

Air Mandalay (Yangon) suspended operations on December 10, 2014 with the announcement it would resume operations in late January or “no later than February”. The airline is planning to resume operations with one ATR 72-212 (above) and two newly-acquired Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets. However according to this report by Myanmar Times, “former CEO Gary Villiard, who resigned on November 14, 2014 due to conflict with the airline’s shareholders, said he did not believe it would be possible for the airline to resume services at the end of January.” The former CEO questioned whether “Air Mandalay had the financing and corporate affairs skills needed to turn the airline around.”

The company had planned to add new Boeing 737s next year.

Air Mandalay launched scheduled operations on October 18, 1994.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Background information from the airline:

Air Mandalay Limited is a private joint venture company that was incorporated on October 6, 1994 to operate as Myanmar’s first privately owned airline and support the country’s tourism industry.

The airline has since established itself as a carrier of high standards with a wide domestic network and one regional link, to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. It operates to all of Myanmar’s main tourist destinations and commercial hubs.

According to the airline, “Air Mandalay’s logo depicts the mythological royal Hintha bird, which symbolizes loyalty, respect for traditional values, stability, good luck and prosperity.

The colors in our logo are also significant. Yellow represents the numerous golden pagodas found throughout Myanmar, which is often called the Golden Land. Burgundy signifies the color of the robes worn by Buddhist monks in Myanmar, thus representing religious values.”

Top Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Air Mandalay). ATR 72-212 XY-AIR (msn 467) departs from Yangon (formerly Rangon).

Air Mandalay aircraft slide show:

Route map before it suspended operations:

Air Mandalay to lease Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft

Air Mandalay Limited (Yangon) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) have signed a memorandum of collaboration in support of working together toward Air Mandalay’s fleet renewal efforts. H.E. U Nyan Htun Aung, Minister of Transport of Myanmar and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Derek J. Mitchell witnessed the signing.

Boeing will assist Air Mandalay with its efforts to procure Next-Generation 737 airplanes through leasing channels in support of Air Mandalay’s expansion plan.

The two parties commented:

“This memorandum is an important step in our growth strategy,” said Dato’ Adam Htoon, principal of Air Mandalay. “Due to the growth of tourism and business investment in Myanmar, air transportation has become an increasingly important contributor to both the nation’s economic growth and its infrastructure development. The country is looking to position itself as a major tourism destination capable of handling an increasing number of foreign visitors. The 737s will provide us with capabilities to support this critical national growth strategy.”

“We look forward to supporting Air Mandalay on its fleet expansion strategy, setting the foundation for a long and successful partnership between Air Mandalay and Boeing,” said Skip Boyce, president, Boeing Southeast Asia. “The Next-Generation 737 aircraft will provide Air Mandalay with market-leading efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort, allowing the airline to continue to prosper and grow in the region.”

Air Mandalay Limited is a private joint venture company that was incorporated on October 6, 1994 to operate as Myanmar’s first privately owned airline and support the country’s tourism industry. The airline, based in Yangon, has since established itself as a carrier of high standards with a wide domestic network and one regional link to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. It operates to all of Myanmar’s main tourist destinations and commercial hubs. The airline also offers air charter services to destinations both within the country and regionally.

Air Mandalay currently operates ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Air Mandalay ATR 72-212 XY-AIR (msn 467) arrives at the Yangon hub.

Air Mandalay aircraft slide show:

Video: Flying on the ATR 72. Air Mandalay’s ATR 72-212 XY-AIR is taped operating into Heho Airport and landing on runway 18 from Mandalay International Airport as flight 6T 402 bound for Yangon. Situated at the edge of the mountainous Shan state at an elevation of 3,888 feet, the airport is the gateway to the picturesque Inle Lake. Videoed from Seat 5D.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_R2IsEXZPQ&w=560&h=315%5D

Current Route Map:

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