Airline links Yangon and Phuket

Myanmar National Airlines has opened bookings for a new service linking Yangon with Phuket a popular holiday island in South Thailand.

Heading for a 25 March launch and bookable now for flights through to the end of the year, the airline will use an 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft for the new service.

According to Airlineroute’s timetable information, flights will depart Friday and Sunday at 1755 and arrive in Phuket at 2015.  The return flight will depart Phuket at 2115 and arrive in Yangon at 2235.

The timing and frequencies suggest the sales pitch will target residents in Yangon, who want to book a weekend holiday departing to Phuket island late Friday and returning from Phuket late Sunday evening.

Flying the route through the summer timetable could be a challenge to fill up 100 seats twice weekly. Phuket shifts down a gear for the low season (rainy season) May to October, but that might not be an issue for Yangon residents.

Phuket is home to a number of international hospitals and medical tourism from Myanmar to Thailand is a strong source of business for airlines.

International travellers can book and pay fo a flight on the airline’s website and for them the Sunday evening flight to Yangon with a return flight to Phuket on Friday would give them ample time to explore Yangon and take a trip to Bagan.  It might be a popular option mid-April during the annual Songkran Festival also celebrated with great fervour in Yangon.