Mandalay-Imphal flights to take off on July 3?
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 01 2014:
Though there is no sign of any preparation being made here, a report filed by Sid Dhartha from Yangon in TTG Asia today has stated that commencement of Golden Myanmar Airlines' a twice-weekly charter service between Mandalay and Imphal on Airbus A320 and a 69-seater ATR 72-690 aircraft, which was earlier slated for June 27 but postponed, could now take off on July 3 .
The report said that Myanmar and India are working together to promote tourism through a new charter service linking Mandalay and the North-east state of Manipur in India, the launch of which was postponed.
However, Golden Myanmar Airlines' commencement of a twice-weekly charter service on Airbus A320 and a 69-seater ATR 72-690 aircraft is now to take off on July 3 while the airline finalises preparations with Indian authorities.
Aung Gyi, the carrier's managing director, said: "We are postponing the launch until further notice from our partner in India.
(When we get clearance) we will operate two charter flights a week, and passengers will get visa on arrival in Imphal" .
Manipur has also relaxed the Protected Area Permit system for Myanmar citizens and offers them a two-year visa on arrival, while the Airports Authority of India is planning to reduce the value-added tax on aviation turbine fuel for this new route.
Meanwhile, vast expanses of land around the Imphal International Airport are being acquired for runway expansion and additional airport facilities.
Long-term plans are in place to expand the Imphal flight network to international destinations including neighbouring Myanmar as well as Thailand and Singapore.