Competition scary for Myanmar’s airlines

September 25, 2013 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit - TTR Weekly

YANGON, 25 September 2013: Myanmar’s growing popularity as a tourist destination and the increase in investor interest is good news for airlines based in the country, but competition will intensify from regional players, aviation experts warn.

Yangon-based media quoted Brolin Consulting’s, Stuart Barwood, as saying: “The next 12 to 18 months will be a testing time for Myanmar-based airlines as they will have to learn quickly, or risk being marginalised by foreign carriers.”

He added: “Sanctions … caused a gap in commercial knowledge and experience in the airline sector, which needs to be addressed quickly in order to give airlines the ability to compete with international companies.”

Myanmar is set to join the rest of ASEAN in adopting “Open Skies Policy” in 2015 under ASEAN Economic Community rules. It will allow ASEAN registered airlines greater access to Myanmar’s skies. At first it will apply to major point-to-point services to capital cities or commercially important destinations.

Read the full article here: http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/09/competition-scary-for-myanmars-airlines/

I`m not sure if already posted but according to Nok Air`s home page they are going to start flights BKK ( DM) to Yangon from 1st November.

Headline 1 way price of 1590 baht.

http://www.nokair.com/nokconnext/aspx/index.aspx

Wonder if they will eventually fly from Chiang Mai?

Nok already fly Mae Sot to Mawlamyine and Yangon. Air Bagan fly Chiang Mai to Yangon and judging by the number of flights they have cancelled recently doubt Nok Air will jump at the route but still hoping for a Chiang Mai-Mandalay flight to emerge.