Golden Myanmar Airlines launched its first international route last month with daily flights from Mandalay and Yangon to Singapore, and is eyeing flights to Bangkok, New Delhi and Hong Kong.
YANGON- Golden Myanmar Airlines is the latest carrier present in Myanmar. It is the first Myanmar private aviation company established in July 2012. The carrier envisions to become Myanmar’s leading domestic and international low cost carrier. GMA started operating first domestically between Yangon and Mandalay but has since moved forward to serve international destinations. On April 5, the carrier launched its first international frequencies linking Singapore to boith Yangon and Mandalay, according to U Aung Gyi, CEO who is also a shareholder in the airline.
To make a name in the industry, the carrier currently flies wiuth extremely low fares as promotions can go as deep as US$ 45. A normal fare is sold around US$ 100, a mostly reasonable price for a one way ticket…
Golden Myanmar Airwyas is now looking at several potential new international routes in 2013, including Bangkok, New Delhi and Hong Kong, U Aung Gyi said.
“Currently we have only one A320 aircraft but we added one more aircraft very soon before launching the Singapore route. We plan also flying to Bangkok. As we originally planned, we will add more aircraft very soon and will fly to Delhi and Hong Kong in the near future,” he said.
Mandalay benefits tremendously of GMA strategy. In the past, the ancient royal city used only to be served by China Eastern to Kunming. Thai AirAsia launched Bangkok-Mandalay flights in October 2012 while Myanmar Airways International (MAI) launched thrice-weekly flights from Mandalay to Gaya in India.
MAI launched recently daily flights between Mandalay and Bangkok on March 31, the same day that Thai Airways International’s sister airline, Thai Smile, launched a Bangkok service with five flights a week.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
