THAI carrier, Bangkok Airways, is holding an event in the VIP lounge at Mingarladon Airport on May 10 to celebrate the launch of its daily service between Bangkok and Yangon earlier this year.

The carrier began the flights on April 30 using a Boeing-717 plane that can carry 125 passengers. The flights leave Yangon at 12.50pm.

The airline, which has an office in Sakura tower, is offering discounted fares until the end of September to promote the flights. The round-trip fare is US$168, a big saving on the regular fare of $210.

The airline’s media relations officer, Mr Natdanai Yuvaboon, said it would consider increasing the frequency of the service, subject to demand.

Travel agents have welcomed the service, saying it would be appreciated by tourists and other travellers.

The managing director of Sun Far Travel and Tours Company, U Kyaw Tun, said travellers would also welcome the convenient departure time for the flights.

U Kyaw Tun said he hoped the airline would maintain the service over the long term, adding that it was taking a risk operating the flights during the low season.
Daw Khin May Myint, the managing director at Karaweik M and J Tours Company, which deals mainly with the Japanese market, agreed that the departure time offered flexibility for passengers.

The service was also convenient for Japanese tourists as it would cut waiting times in Bangkok for connecting flights to Yangon, Daw Khin May Myint said.

The increased availability of seats on flights between Yangon and Bangkok would make it easier for Japanese tourists to visit Myanmar, she said.

“Unlike European travellers, Japanese book travel packages fairly close to their holidays and this created difficulties for us during the last high season when airlines are often carrying capacity loads,” Daw Khin May Myint said.