Local airports to be handed over to private sector

YANGON—Local airports in Myanmar are being allowed to approach private companies to handle their operations, according to the Directorate of Myanmar Aviation Department.

There are 69 domestic airports in Myanmar. Among them, only 32 airports including Nay Pyi Taw Airport, located in the country’s capital and administrative city, Yangon International Airport, the main hub for foreign travelers, and Mandalay International Airport, the second gateway, are now being run for local and foreign travelers.

Those 32 domestic airports will be granted permission to have private operations.

“We are going to allow permission to hand over the airports to private firms, like offering tenders for the construction of new international airports with the participation of the private sector. Mainly, through state owned newspapers we are going to invite private entrepreneurs who can support the projects to meet the market demand,” said Tin Naing Tun, Director General of the Directorate of Civil Aviation department.

Of the 32 local airports, Heho Airport located in Shan State is the busiest, having received more than 370,000 local and foreign visitors in the last fiscal year. Bagan-NyaungOo and Techilek Airports are second and third for tourist arrivals, respectively.

The Directorate of Civil Aviation department says its top priority now is the extended construction and upgrading of local airports, depending on the number of tourist arrivals.

The airports’ annex buildings in NaungOo, Myeik, Techilek and Myitgyina townships will be constructed in coming fiscal year, according to the Civil Aviation department.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/4121-local-airports-to-be-handed-over-to-private-sector