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Myanmar Airways International

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Not to be confused with Myanmar National Airlines.
Myanmar Airways International
IATA ICAO Call sign
8M MMA MYANMAR
Founded1946; 78 years ago (1946)
(as Union of Burma Airways)
Commenced operationsAugust 1993; 31 years ago (1993-08)
HubsYangon International Airport
Focus citiesMandalay International Airport
Frequent-flyer programSky Smile Privilege Program
Fleet size13
Destinations36
Parent company24 Hour Group of Companies
HeadquartersYangon, Myanmar
Key peopleU Aung Aung Zaw (Chairman)
Employeesover 1,700
Websitewww.maiair.com
This article contains Burmese script. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Burmese script.

Myanmar Airways International Co., Ltd. (Burmese: အပြည်ပြည်ဆိုင်ရာ မြန်မာ့လေကြောင်းလိုင်း) is a privately owned airline headquartered in Yangon, Myanmar.[1] It operates scheduled international services to destinations mainly in Southeast Asia and is based at Yangon International Airport. Myanmar Airways International was the sponsor of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games. MAI's logo shows pyinsarupa (Burmese: ပဉ္စရူပ), a traditional Burmese chimeric animal.

History

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Early years

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A now retired MAI Boeing 737-300 in 2002

The airline was founded in 1946.[2]

Myanmar Airways International (MAI) took off in August 1993, initially created as a joint venture between Myanma Airways and Singapore-based Highsonic Enterprises, with the support of Royal Brunei Airlines. It boasted a Singapore management team with (many ex-Singapore Airlines staff), new Boeing aircraft, all-expatriate cockpit crews, improved training for flight attendants and new UK Civil Aviation Authority operating standards. Eventually, the original joint venture was terminated and MAI became a wholly-owned Myanmar company.

On December 5, 2000, Singapore-based Region Air signed a long-term joint venture agreement with Myanmar Airways International (MAI), acquiring a 49% stake. The agreement, which took effect on January 1, 2001, involved Region Air providing management, marketing, accounting, finance strategy, technical, and operations management.[3]

In 2001, a new corporate identity and aircraft livery were rolled out and the company completed its first major cabin-crew-upgrading program. In 2002, the airline obtained new International Air Transport Association (IATA) airline designator codes and joined both the IATA Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement (MITA) and IATA Clearing House. The airline sent 122 employees on training courses at Malaysia Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines training centers. In 2003, MAI launched a code-share agreement with Thai Airways International on the Bangkok-Yangon-Bangkok route. The company also has code-sharing with Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Jetstar Asia. In 2004, the airline took delivery of new uniforms for ground staff and recruited a further 16 new cabin-crew trainees.

In February 2007, the foreign management team under Region Air Myanmar (HK) Ltd. transferred its control to MAI.

Expansion and modernization

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Myanmar Airways International (MAI) was founded in 1993 as an international airline operating in Myanmar. Since its inception, MAI has had the privilege of working with various stakeholders to make air travel accessible and promote the overall socio-economic growth of the country. MAI, along with its sister carrier Mingalar (formerly known as Air KBZ), embarked on a new era of business realignment and strategic expansion[4] following the takeover of both carriers by 24 Hour Group of Companies in 2019, led by Chairman U Aung Aung Zaw.

In 2019, MAI planned to double its fleet, resuming growth after several stagnant years focusing on enhancing its international reach, particularly in China and South Korea.

On March 8, 2024, Myanmar Airways International (MAI) held a ceremony at the Lotte Hotel in Yangon to unveil its 2024 strategic plans and rebrand its partner airline, Air KBZ, to Mingalar Aviation Services. MAI announced an expansion to 21 international flights, adding routes to Chiang Mai, Vientiane, Dhaka, and Doha. Additionally, MAI introduced a co-branded Tourism SIM with ATOM, offering affordable and high-quality phone services and data for passengers.[5]

MAI operates from its hubs in Yangon and Mandalay, serving 35 destinations across Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, India, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea, Russia, Laos, and Qatar with a fleet of four A319s, four A320s, three E190s, and four ATRs, in collaboration with its sister carrier, Mingalar.

MAI's international partners include Air France Industries, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Sri Lankan Airlines. MAI is a member of the IATA Clearing House (ICH), IATA, and a partner of the MITA system. It is the first airline in Myanmar to receive the IATA Operational Safety Audit Program (IOSA) Operator title. MAI was named the "Most Admired ASEAN Enterprise" in Myanmar at the 2014 ASEAN Business Awards, hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC). During the pandemic, MAI was recognized by significant governmental and industry organizations, including the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Citizens Protection Division for continuous operations between both nations, and was named the 2022 Airline of the Year at the 6th Incheon Airport Awards by Seoul-Incheon International Airport, one of Skytrax's top 10 airports.[6]

Services

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Sky Smile Privilege Program

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In this frequent-flyer program, MAI offers three levels of membership – Jade, Ruby and Diamond. The validity of the program is divided into two parts, membership tiers and award mileage.

  • Tier Points: Validity is two years based on an accumulated basis.
  • Award Points: Validity is two years but on a rolling basis, based on actual accruals/redemptions.

Ruby Tier members can redeem miles for award tickets as per the program's terms and conditions. Mileage accrual and redemption are based on miles provided in the mileage calculator.[7]

Sky Smile Executive Lounge

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MAI Sky Smile Executive Lounge at Yangon International Airport is offered exclusively for Diamond Card Members and business class passengers. The lounge offers refreshments, entertainment and business secretary services.

Destinations

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A Myanmar Airways International Airbus A320 at Changi Airport, Singapore

As of September 2024, Myanmar Airways International serves 9 domestic destinations and 17 international destinations in 12 countries:[8][9][10]

Country City Airport Notes Ref.
Cambodia Phnom Penh Phnom Penh International Airport [10][11]
China Guangzhou Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport [12]
India Chennai Chennai International Airport [13]
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport [10]
Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [14]
Laos Vientiane Wattay International Airport [8]
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur International Airport [10]
Myanmar Dawei Dawei Airport [10]
Heho Heho Airport [8]
Kawthaung Kawthaung Airport [8]
Kengtung Kengtung Airport [8]
Mandalay Mandalay International Airport Focus city [10]
Myeik Myeik Airport [8]
Myitkyina Myitkyina Airport [8]
Sittwe Sittwe Airport [8]
Yangon Yangon International Airport Hub [8]
Russia Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport [15][16]
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport [17]
South Korea Seoul Incheon International Airport [18]
Thailand Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport [19]
Suvarnabhumi Airport [10][17]
Chiang Mai Chiang Mai International Airport [20]
Phuket Phuket International Airport [21]
United Arab Emirates Dubai Dubai International Airport [8]
Vietnam Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport [22]
Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport [22]

Codeshare agreements

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Myanmar Airways International has codeshare and interline partner agreements with the following airlines:[23][24]

Fleet

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MAI Embraer 190

Current fleet

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As of October 2024, Myanmar Airways International operates the following aircraft:[28][29][30]

Myanmar Airways International fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A319-100 4 — 140
Airbus A320-200 2 — 170
ATR 72-600 1 — 68 [31][32]
Embraer E190 2 — 98
Cargo fleet
Boeing 737-300F 1 — Cargo Operated base on ACMI basis from My Indo Airlines.
Total 10 —

Former fleet

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MAI had operated a variety of aircraft types, including:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Offices Address Archived 2009-09-06 at the Wayback Machine." Myanmar Airways International. Retrieved on 10 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-10. p. 53.
  3. ^ "Region Air takes 49 percent of MAI". www.travelweekly-asia.com. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  4. ^ realignment and strategic expansion
  5. ^ "MAI unveils 2024 strategic plans and renames partner airline at ceremony". Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  6. ^ "About Us". www.maiair.com. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  7. ^ https://www.maiair.com/sky-smile/about-sky-smile
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Myanmar Airways Flights and Destinations". FlightConnections.
  9. ^ "Our Destinations". Myanmar Airways International.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Route Map". Myanmar Airways International.
  11. ^ "Myanmar Airways International to Launch Phnom Penh Service in W11". Routesonline. 16 September 2011.
  12. ^ "Myanmar Airways International to start Guangzhou service from Mar 2011". Routesonline. 24 January 2011.
  13. ^ "MYANMAR AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL ADDS REGULAR CHENNAI FLIGHTS IN NS23". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Myanmar Airways International adds Kolkata service from Dec 2016". routesonline. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  15. ^ "Myanmar Airways International Adds Novosibirsk Service From Sep 2023". AeroRoutes. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Myanmar Airways Set to Launch Direct Flights to Russian Nuclear Hub". The Irrawaddy. The Irrawaddy. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Myanmar Airways Int'l W10 Service increase and new routes". routesonline. 6 October 2010.
  18. ^ "Myanmar Airways International adds Seoul service from Dec 2019". Routesonline. 1 October 2019.
  19. ^ "MAI to launch new flights connecting Yangon, Mandalay to Thailand". 29 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Myanmar Airways International adds Chiang Mai service in 2024". 28 February 2024.
  21. ^ "MYANMAR AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL ADDS PHUKET SERVICE IN LATE-SEP 2022". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Hãng hàng không tư nhân lớn nhất Myanmar sắp có mặt tại Việt Nam" [Myanmar's largest private airline is coming to Vietnam soon]. Bao Giao Thong (in Vietnamese). 19 August 2022.
  23. ^ "Codeshare Partners". maiair.com. Myanmar Airways International.
  24. ^ "Profile on Myanmar Airways International". CAPA. Centre for Aviation. Archived from the original on 2016-11-02. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  25. ^ "MAI Expands Malaysia Airlines Codeshare From mid-Aug 2023".
  26. ^ "SriLankan expands network to Myanmar in partnership with Myanmar Airways International". www.srilankan.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
  27. ^ "Royal Brunei Airlines and Myanmar Airways International ink codeshare agreement". www.flyroyalbrunei.com. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Our Fleet". maiair.com.
  29. ^ "Myanmar Airways International takes first E190 | News | Flight Global".
  30. ^ "Cargo Fleet".
  31. ^ MAI expands domestically with new addition: ATR 72-600 aircraft joins fleet
  32. ^ Myanmar Airways International receives first ATR 72-600
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