After a long, 22-year absence, Myanmar National Airlines, the state-owned flag-carrier of Myanmar, has resumed scheduled service to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) this month. The returning carrier also chose Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), to be its ground handling agent for a new service from Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, to HKIA.
Since 1993, when the ruling military junta of Myanmar cut off cross-border travel for the carrier, Myanmar National was absent from HKIA until a civilian government was formed in 2011. With economic sanctions now lifting, international trade is a reality again, but most of the business so far is imports, until the country develops a viable manufacturing sector.
Despite its long international hiatus, the airline, which dates back to 1948 and flies to 26 domestic destinations, is one of Asia’s oldest airlines. Its predecessor, Union of Burma Airways served Hong Kong from the early 1950s until 1993. After 22 years of isolation, the airline is now re-emerging onto the international stage, and investing in a new fleet of 737-800NG aircrafts.
The new four-times a week 737-800 service to HKIA, which began Dec. 4, represents the airline’s second international route. Hactl Executive Director Vivien Lau said that Myanmar is a country with huge potential for international trade, as she welcomed Myanmar National Airlines to the Hactl family.
Pictured: Vivien Lau