Asian Wings Links Mandalay with Chiang Mai

30th Jan 2014

Chiang Mai is now just a flight away from Mandalay after the Myanmar-based Asian Wings Airways launched its inaugural flight on Wednesday, making it the first airline to do so since 2008.

Mandalay and Chiang Mai are both the second largest cities in Myanmar and Thailand, respectively.

The Mandalay-Chiang Mai route is the first international operation for Asian Wings since the airline commenced operations in 2011, mostly on domestic routes.

The new service will soon be a twice-weekly affair which will take off every afternoon on Wednesdays and Saturdays. At the moment, the airline flies only once a week on this route, every Wednesday afternoon. The second weekly service will be launched on February 15, 2014.

According to the airline's commercial director, Yin Yin Nyo Myint, the new international service is a strategic decision in anticipation of a tourism boom in Myanmar as the country finally opens its doors to world commerce and tourism after decades of isolation.

Another Myanmar-based airline, Air Mandalay, used to operate a direct service between the two cities but was discontinued in 2008 after it wasn't found sustainable enough.

Since the opening of Myanmar to the world, foreign investors start to come in droves to take advantage of the new opportunities that the country offers.

One area that attracts foreign capitalists is the commercial aviation industry which saw the arrival of small airlines now operating in the country. In fact, Japan's All Nippon Airways, is joining the fray with its announcement last year that they are buying a 49% stake in Asian Wings.

According to an airline official, the Mandalay-Chiang Mai route offers renewed opportunities for airlines due to the growing interests of tourists from both countries, especially now that Myanmar is opening its doors to foreign investors and visitors alike.

A number of important tourist landmarks are found around Mandalay such as the old Royal Palace, Kuthodow Pagoda and the famed Atumashi Monastery and several other ancient relics such as pagodas, stupas, and temples.

Chiang Mai, on the other hand, is Thailand's northernmost major capital and second largest city. Owing to its cool climate, the city attracts millions of tourists every year. Like in Mandalay, religious structures such as golden stupas and temples, are also abound in Chiang Mai, most famous of which is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.

Both cities welcome the new direct service mounted by Asian Wings Airways as it will boost tourism in their respective domain.

Asian Wings Airways currently operates a fleet of four planes, a lone A321 aircraft and three ATR-72 turboprops. It now serves a total of 14 destinations, 13 of which are domestic and one is international.

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