Yangon International Airport (YGNIA) is projecting a 20 per cent annual growth as it welcomes more visitors and international airlines.
U Win Ko, the facility’s general manager, said: “Since 2008, passenger numbers at Yangon Airport have nearly doubled to three million, and by 2015, we expect to handle more than five million passengers annually.”
In 2012, the number of airport tenants grew from 14 to 22 airlines, he revealed, adding: “Which means we need to increase our capacity immediately, while also planning the future.” Golden Myanmar Airlines (see news), the country's first low-cost carrier, uses YGNIA as its base.
Anticipating the spike in operations, the airport has partnered with air transport specialist SITA to provide its Airport Connect System that ensures check-in counters and gate resources run smoothly. They are also supplying the country's first self-service check-in kiosks. Investment in transport infrastructure comes as Myanmar gears up for further opening up of the country to foreign investment and a more immediate event – the 27th South East Asian Games in November.
The airport is located about 15km north of downtown Yangon in Mingaladon Township, and was built in 1947 by Calcutta Metropolitan Airports Authority. A new terminal opened in May 2007, featuring an expanded passenger building. Earlier in 2003, the runway had been extended to accommodate bigger aircraft such as the B747-400.
For more details, visit www.ygnia.com
Margie T Logarta
