Five Airports Get Go-Ahead

Five of Myanmar’s 30 small airports have been given approval to proceed with plans to sell or long-lease them to private operators, a travel trade report said.

The Civil Aviation Department named the five to be privatized as Bagan-Nyaung U, Heho, Tachilek, Thandwe and Kyaukphyu airports.

“Bagan-Nyaung U Airport, which has seen a massive influx of tourists, could draw the most attention from private companies,” the chief of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, U Kyaw Soe, was quoted by TTR Weekly as saying.

“The Directorate was given the job of overseeing the privatization of 30 airports, which will be leased or sold to private companies,” the trade paper reported.

“However, only five of the airports have the green light to negotiate with private firms at present and many of the airports listed are decades away from being profitable ventures.” —William

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