November launch for MAI Phnom Penh flights

By Zaw Win Than
October 24 - 30, 2011

NATIONAL carrier Myanmar Airways International will begin flights to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh by November, an airline spokesperson said last week.

Flights for Phnom Penh via Siem Reap will depart each Wednesday and Saturday using a new Airbus A-321 that can accommodate 220 passengers.

“Hopefully we will receive a new Airbus A-321 on October 25 and will use it to fly to Phnom Penh via Siem Reap by November 2. On the return leg it will not stop in Siem Reap, it will fly directly to Yangon from Phnom Penh,” said Daw Aye Mra Tha, the airline’s marketing and commercial executive.

She said the company expected to attract more passengers on the new route than Yangon-Siem Reap because Phnom Penh was the business centre of Cambodia.

The company will also operate charter flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Hajj pilgrimage in November. “I hope we will operate five charter flights,” she said.

She said the company also plans to add one more flight to Gaya in India.

“Currently we operate two flights a week to Gaya – every Wednesday and Saturday – and we will soon add one more flight to Gaya to meet demand during the Bodhgaya pilgrimage season,” she said.