MNA extends suspension of international flights till January 31

MNA extends suspension of international flights till January 31
Published 7 January 2021

The State-run Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) has extended the suspension of its international flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hong Kong until January 31, according to a statement released by the airline. 

The Ministry of Transport and Communications also announced that the extended suspension aims to effectively curb the Covid-19 spreading. 

According to the statements from the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Civil Aviation Department, Yangon International Airport has banned entry of international flights since March 30, 2020. 

The decision to extend the suspension of international flights to those foreign cities came from Myanmar Central Committee for Covid-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment in a bid to effectively prevent virus spreading. 

Due to the suspended international flights, income from the international airlines in 2020 declined by 81 compared to the previous year, according to a survey on economic impact on tourism caused by Covid-19. 

The country’s international airlines related to the tourism sector earned US$902 million and US$173.809 million. 

According to YACL providing management services at Yangon International Airport, as all the shops at Terminal 1 of the airport remain closed, it has to reduce or exempt their rentals and cut salaries of airport staff for continued survival.