Changi Airport adds daily flights to Myanmar's financial capital Mandalay

Golden Myanmar Airlines to ferry passengers.

In a release, Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced the arrival of a new carrier, Golden Myanmar Airlines, at Singapore Changi Airport. The carrier will operate daily services connecting Singapore via Yangon to Mandalay, the financial capital of Myanmar.

Golden Myanmar Airlines will operate from Changi Airport’s Terminal 1. Utilising the 180-seat A320 aircraft, the airline will operate two daily flight schedules.

Mandalay is a new city link for Changi Airport and brings to 47 the number of cities in Southeast Asia that Changi is connected to. The new service by Golden Myanmar Airlines further enhances Changi Airport’s position as a key gateway to the region.

CAG’s Senior Vice President for Market Development, Mr Lim Ching Kiat, said, “We are extremely delighted to welcome Golden Myanmar into Changi’s family of airlines. This is a significant milestone for us given the tremendous growth opportunities for business and leisure travel between Singapore and Myanmar. We are confident that the additional flights will make it easier for people to travel between the two countries and we look forward to working closely with the airline to realise the growth potential that exist in the two markets.”

CAG noted that bilateral trade between Singapore and Myanmar increased 8.6% last year compared to 2011, and that the commencement of Golden Myanmar’s flights to Singapore comes at an opportune time as Myanmar steps up efforts to accelerate social-economic development in the country.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and Myanmar has grown positively in recent years. In the five years from 2008 to 2012, passenger movements between the two countries increased by 17.0% annually on a compounded basis. In 2012, passenger traffic grew by 22.8% year-on-year to reach 406,000 movements.

Mr Aung Gyi, Golden Myanmar Airlines’ Managing Director, said, “Singapore and Myanmar have enjoyed strong trade and economic links over the last few years and Singapore currently ranks among one of Myanmar’s top trade partners. Coupled with Changi Airport's strength as a well connected aviation hub, it was not a difficult decision for us to make her our first international destination. We plan to utilise Singapore as an extended gateway into Myanmar’s leading commercial cities and we also hope to reach other parts of Asia from Changi Airport.”

“The decision by Golden Myanmar Airlines to choose Changi as its first international port-of-call reflects the strength and robust potential of our air hub and we are truly honoured by this confidence. Looking ahead, we remain determined to build on our capabilities to secure Changi Airport’s position as the preferred gateway to Asia for travellers from all over the world,” added Mr Lim.