Yangon International Airport

Yangon International Airport
ရန်ကုန်အပြည်ပြည်ဆိုင်ရာလေဆိပ်
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Government of the Republic of Union of Myanmar
Operator Yangon Aerodrome Co., Ltd
Serves Yangon
Location Mingaladon 11021, Yangon
Yangon Division, Myanmar
Hub for
Elevation AMSL 109 ft / 33 m
Coordinates 16°54′26″N 96°07′59″E / 16.90722°N 96.13306°E / 16.90722; 96.13306Coordinates: 16°54′26″N 96°07′59″E / 16.90722°N 96.13306°E / 16.90722; 96.13306
Website www.yangonairport.aero
Map
RGN
Location of airport in Myanmar
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 11,201 3,414 Asphalt
Statistics (2017)
Passengers 5,916,597 Increase
International passengers 3,930,590 Increase
Source: Yangon Aerodrome Co. Ltd.[1]

Yangon International Airport (Burmese: ရန်ကုန်အပြည်ပြည်ဆိုင်ရာလေဆိပ်; MLCTS: Yan Gon a pyi pyi hsai ya hlay hsate [jàɴɡòʊɴ əpjìpjì sʰàɪɴjà lèzeɪʔ]) (IATA: RGN, ICAO: VYYY) is the primary and busiest international airport of Myanmar. The airport is located in Mingaladon, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of central Yangon. All ten Myanmar carriers and about 30 international airlines operate at Yangon International Airport. The airport is also colloquially known as Mingaladon Airport due to its location.

History

The check in desks in Terminal 2

During World War II, the airfield was called RAF Mingaladon and served as an operating base for fighter aircraft such as No. 60 Squadron RAF from February 1941 to February 1942 flying Bristol Blenheim I, No. 67 Squadron RAF from October 1941 to March 1942 flying Brewster F2A Buffalo and Hawker Hurricane IIs, No. 135 Squadron RAF from January–February 1942 flying Hawker Hurricane IIs, No. 681 Squadron RAF from June to September 1945 flying Supermarine Spitfire and the 3rd Squadron, 1st American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) of the Chinese Air Force flying Curtiss P-40s. There was also a Communication Flight of the Burma Volunteer Air Force equipped with Tiger Moths and Westland Lysanders and anti-aircraft support for the airfield was provided by members of the 12th Burma Rifles.

Mingaladon was then used by the Japanese, and Japanese bombers based in Bangkok were moved forward to Mingaladon when there was a full moon. The British at the Wireless Experimental Centre in Delhi were breaking BULBUL the IJA air-to-ground code, and could predict Japanese air raids. On one occasion Allied nightfighters got the lot and all night we could hear Mingaladon air base calling for its lost children.[2]

After World War II, Yangon Airport was built on the former RAF Mingaladon in 1947 by the Calcutta Metropolitan Airports Authority. Once regarded as the best in Southeast Asia and the primary airport serving that region, the airport fell into disrepair and remained that way for decades, as new superhubs like Singapore Changi Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta were built and superseded Yangon's facilities.

Airport capacity was boosted to 6 million passengers per year in early 2016. Currently, there are plans to build a completely new and larger airport, Hanthawaddy International Airport, on a much larger site and somewhat away from Yangon.

Modernization

A modernization program was launched in April 2003 and resulted in a new terminal and an extended 3414 m runway.[3]

Designed by the Airport Development Division of CPG Corporation of Singapore, a new terminal was constructed at a cost of US$13.3 million by Asia World.[4] It can handle 900 arriving and 900 departing passengers simultaneously.[5] The design meets IATA service standards and complies with ICAO safety and security standards at a cost of SG$30 million. Other notable features include:

  • Separate floors for arriving and departing passengers to lessen congestion
  • Automated baggage handling system with an integrated check-in system
  • Four air bridges, capable of handling four Boeing 747s
  • Special lounges for use by government officials and business people
  • A two-story parking garage with spaces for 340 vehicles.

In June 2011, the government announced plans to expand the airport by 40% and increase its capacity from 2.7 million passengers to 3.8 million passengers annually.[6] The airport was already over its annual capacity of 2.7 million passengers, having accepted 3.1 million in 2012[7] and 4 million in 2014.[8] To fulfill this increased demand, new international and domestic terminals are being constructed and are expected to be finished end of 2016. After upgrading, Yangon International Airport will be able to service 6 million passengers annually.[8]

In 2013, a contract worth $150 million was awarded to a consortium led by an affiliate of Asia World to construct a new domestic terminal and expansion of airport apron.[7]

The new international terminal (T1) opened in March 2016, with the previously existing international terminal being designated as T2. The new domestic terminal (T3) opened on December 5, 2016.

Terminals

Terminal 1

In August 2014, the old domestic terminal was demolished and construction began for the new six-story Terminal 1 which will handle international flights. The opening ceremony was held on March 12, 2016. After the opening of Terminal 1, the airport can handle 6 million passengers annually, as opposed to 2.7 million before.

Terminal 2

Domestic Terminal

After the opening of Terminal 1, the former International Terminal was renamed "Terminal 2." The building was designed by the CPG Corporation of Singapore and constructed by the Asia World Company costing USD $13.3 million. The terminal can handle 900 arriving passengers and 900 departing passengers at the same time. Terminal 2 was closed in July, 2018 to undergo extensive renovation. All international flights are now operating from Terminal 1.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3, which is used for domestic flights, opened on December 5, 2016, replacing the old domestic terminal which was demolished in August 2014.

Guard of Honor Building (VIP Terminal)

The former VIP terminal was temporarily being used as the domestic terminal, until Terminal 3 was completed. The Guard of Honor Building has been demolished, to make way for a connector between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Air China Beijing–Capital, Chengdu, Kunming
Air IndiaDelhi, Gaya, Kolkata
Air KBZ Bagan, Chiang Mai, Dawei, Heho, Kalaymyo, Kawthaung, Kyaing Tong, Lashio, Mandalay, Myitkyina, Naypyidaw, Sittwe, Thandwe
Air Mandalay Myitkyina, Tachilek
AirAsia Kuala Lumpur–International
All Nippon Airways Tokyo–Narita
Asian Wings Airways Bagan, Dawei, Heho, Kawthaung, Kyaing Tong, Mandalay, Myeik, Tachilek
Bangkok Airways Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dhaka
Cathay Dragon Hong Kong
China AirlinesTaipei–Taoyuan
China Eastern Airlines Kunming, Nanning
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou, Haikou,[9] Shenzhen (begins 29 October 2018)[10]
Emirates Dubai–International, Phnom Penh
Golden Myanmar Airlines Bagan, Heho, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Thandwe
Jetstar Asia Airways Singapore
Korean Air Seoul–Incheon
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur–International
Malindo Air Kuala Lumpur–International
Mann Yatanarpon Airlines Mandalay, Bagan, Heho, Thandwe, Kengtung, Tachilek, Myitkyina
Myanmar Airways International Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Guangzhou, Kolkata, Mandalay, Singapore
Myanmar National Airlines Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai, Dawei, Heho, Hong Kong, Kawthaung, Kyaukphyu, Khamti, Kyaing Tong, Loikaw, Lashio, Mandalay, Mawlamyaing, Myeik, Myitkyina, Naypyidaw, Nyaung U, Pathein, Phuket, Putao, Singapore, Sittwe, Tachilek, Thandwe
Seasonal Charter: Gaya
Neos Seasonal: Milan-Malpensa (begins 30 October 2018), Phu Quoc (begins 25 December 2018)[11]
Nok Air Bangkok–Don Mueang, Mae Sot
Qatar Airways Doha
Seasonal: Chiang Mai, Pattaya
SilkAir Singapore
Singapore Airlines Singapore
Thai AirAsia Bangkok–Don Mueang, Chiang Mai
Thai Airways Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi
Thai Lion Air Bangkok–Don Mueang
Thai Smile Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi
Vietjet Air Hanoi
Vietnam Airlines Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Yangon Airways Bagan, Dawei, Heho, Kyaing Tong, Mandalay, Myeik, Myitkyina, Naypyidaw, Tachilek

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
Qatar Airways Cargo Doha[12]

Statistics

The Courtyard (Terminal 2) seen inside from the airport departure lounge
The departure lounge - Gate 1 (Terminal 2)

Top destinations

Busiest flights out of Yangon by flight per weekly[13]
RankDestinationsFrequency (Weekly)
1 Myanmar Mandalay 93
2 Thailand Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi 91
3 Myanmar Heho 76
4 Singapore Singapore 58
5 Myanmar Nyaung U 56
6 Thailand Bangkok-Don Mueang 54
7 Myanmar Nay Pyi Taw 47
8 Myanmar Sittwe 41
9 Myanmar Thandwe 29
10 Myanmar Dawei 27

Traffic by calendar year

PassengersChange from previous yearMovementsCargo
(tons)
2016 5,454,18870,307
2017 5,916,597Increase8.48%78,076
Source: Yangon International Airport[1]

Airport shuttle bus

Intermodal shuttle buses

The Yangon Bus Service (YBS) provides airport shuttle bus line that stop at 13 bus stops between Yangon International Airport and Yangon Central Railway Station. The buses make stops at Yangon International Airport, 8 Mile, Nawade, Kaba-Aye Pagoda, Lanni, Hanmithit, Shwegondine, Bahan 3rd Street, Kyauktaing, Yauklan and Sule Pagoda. Stops on the return journey includes Sule, Yangon Railway Station, Zoological Gardens, Bahan 3rd Street, Shwegondine, Lanni, Kaba-Aye Pagoda, Nawade, 8 Mile and the airport.[14] The fare is 500 kyats (approximately USD 50 cents).

References

  1. 1 2 http://yangonairport.aero/built-for-20-million-mppa-yangon-international-airport-welcomed-5-92-million-passengers-to-round-off-2017/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Smith, Michael (2000). The Emperor’s Codes: Bletchley Park and the breaking of Japan’s secret ciphers. London: Bantam Press. pp. 244–246. ISBN 0593 046412.
  3. ↑ "Yangon airport completes runway extension". 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Yangon International Airport opens new terminal". 25 July 2007.
  5. ↑ "Yangon international airport terminal put into service after renovation". 25 May 2007.
  6. ↑ Aye Sapay Phyu (20 June 2011). "Government reveals plan to expand Yangon International Airport". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Myanmar Air Services Grow Rapidly Despite Safety Record". 22 October 2013.
  8. 1 2 "A 2015 finish planned for first part of Yangon airport expansion". 2 February 2014.
  9. ↑ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-02/24/c_136083061.htm
  10. ↑ "China Southern adds Shenzhen – Yangon route from Oct 2018". routesonline. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  11. ↑ https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/280055/neos-w18-phu-quoc-routing-changes/?highlight=yangon
  12. ↑ "Qatar Airways Cargo is the First International Airline to Launch Dedicated Freighter Service to Yangon". Qatar Airways Cargo. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  13. ↑ https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/rgn
  14. ↑ "YBS Airport Shuttle commences in Yangon - Global New Light Of Myanmar". www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com. Retrieved 2018-07-06.

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