Authorities plan to build a small airfield in Kokant

Authorities plan to build a small airfield in Kokant
MPs seen inside the parliament building (Photo-Soe Min Htike)
MPs seen inside the parliament building (Photo-Soe Min Htike)
Published 5 December 2018
Soe Min Htike

Authorities are planning to build a small airfield in Kokant and the plan will be submitted to the union government if the necessary information is gathered, said Deputy Minister Kyaw Myo for Transportation and Communications in a parliament session held at Nay Pyi Taw on December 4.

He replied to a question raised by MP Kyaw Ni Naing of No.11 Constituency of Shan State about the probability of building a small airfield in Kokant area.

“The respective organization needs to consult with Department for Civil Aviation (DCA) to have requirements to build a small airfield if land is available for the airfield and there is donor who will fund the project. If the approval is received, the ministry will aid technically,” said the deputy minister.

Although the construction of a small airfield in Kokant area is not included in national transport master plan drafted by the aid of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and earmarked plans of the DCA by 2020-21 FY, it will be implemented if the respective government departments allow it due to the availability of land and fund for the project, he added.

There are 34 airports including three international airports under the supervision of the DCA. The three international airports are running by cooperation with private sector. The DCA is implementing the development of domestic airports and building new airports using the state fund. The DCA is planning to upgrade three domestic airports important for the development of tourism industry in Myanmar by cooperating with private sector under public-private partnership policy, said the deputy minister.