A Myanmar national private airline, Air Bagan, formally launched its maiden flight Tuesday morning between Yangon and Bangkok as its first international air route.

 

The maiden flight was inaugurated by Myanmar Transport Minister Major-General Thein Swe and Yangon Commander Brigadier-General Hla Htay Win at the Yangon International Airport.

 

The airline's Yangon-Bangkok-Yangon air route will run daily using a 228-seat airbus A 310-200 aircraft.

 

The airline plans to stretch wing to China's Kunming before September, U Tay Za, Chairman of the Htoo Trading Company which runs the airline, told Xinhua.

 

He also revealed that extension of flights to other destinations such as Singapore, South Korea's Incheon, Cambodia's Siam Reap, India's Chennai and Bangladesh's Dhaka will also be covered the plan.

 

He further disclosed that rough agreement has been reached for the flight to Incheon in August and it is expected to be finalized next week, adding that two more A 320 aircraft will be bought.

 

Air Bagan has been flying between Yangon and 17 domestic destinations, presently using two Fokker F-100, two France-made ATR-72, three ATR-42 aircraft and two airbus A 310 totaling nine, the official added.

 

Inaugurated in November 2004, Air Bagan was the third largest domestic private airline after Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways and the first full private investment airline in Myanmar.

 

According to official statistics, foreign airlines flying Myanmar have reportedly reached 14 including Thai Airways International, Indian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Silk Air, Air China, Malaysian Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Jetstar Asia, Phuket Airline and Thai Air Asia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2007)