Bangkok increases services as Myanmar opens doors

Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia will heighten services between Bangkok and Myanmar in response to the recent demand for foreign investment and tourism after Myanmar’s 60 years of isolation. The news comes after reports that at least five international airlines plan to establish direct connections with Yangon in coming months, according to the Bangkok Post. Bangkok, Thailand has predominantly been seen as the transit hub for journeys to Myanmar. An increase in non-stop services to Myanmar from other international destinations would reduce the amount of connecting flights to Bangkok. This was the case for fellow South-East Asian countries Vietnam and Cambodia in the past. Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) director-general Andrew Herdman said that although there may be more direct flights to Myanmar, this does not necessarily reduce Bangkok’s role as a gateway to Burma. “You will see more direct services [to and from Myanmar from other countries], but also more flights to Myanmar from Bangkok.” Yangon still has a ways to go in terms of preparing for major airline service links. An expansion of the airport to boost capacity to 5.4 million by 2015 is currently being discussed. Airline partnerships, new routes and further destinations are all under consideration. From etravelblackboardasia