Looking Back: Five Years of Operations at Yangon International Airport

17 Dec 2020

Yangon Airport — Yangon International Airport

The landscape around Yangon International Airport (YIA) in Myanmar changed dramatically over the past five years. Two new terminal buildings were added, a new Rescue and Fire Fighting Station and a considerable increase in aircraft parking positions. Beyond the physical changes, many important changes and improvements in operation, capacity building and resource development took place contributing to the safety, security and efficiency of YIA since Yangon Aerodrome Company Ltd assumed operations and managemenThe landscape around Yangon International Airport (YIA) in Myanmar changed dramatically over the past five years. Two new terminal buildings were added, a new Rescue and Fire Fighting Station and a considerable increase in aircraft parking positions. Beyond the physical changes, many important changes and improvements in operation, capacity building and resource development took place contributing to the safety, security and efficiency of YIA since Yangon Aerodrome Company Ltd assumed operations and management of the airport.t of the airport.

Looking Back

The 2010 elections placed Myanmar on the road to democracy. Along with it, a new era for the growth and development of Myanmar as Asia's last frontier economy. Initiatives such as reciprocal visa-free and visa on arrival attracted international interest, creating a surge in air travel demand for both business and tourism. Demand projections grew from a capacity of six million passengers per year to 20 million in the future. The scene was set for Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited ("YACL"), who took over the operations and management of Yangon International Airport from the Department of Civil Aviation as part of a concession agreement in January 2015.

Yangon International Airport Terminal — Yangon International Airport

Terminals

The International Terminal 1, officially opened in March 2016, offered a new passenger experience comparable to well-known international airports. International brand names such as duty-free shops, F&B outlets, and quality local products were among the amenities introduced.

Shortly thereafter in December 2016, Terminal 3 was opened for domestic travel, which helped Myanmar consolidate its the overall development and progress, providing the same level of service, facilities and comfort as other terminals.

The original international terminal, renamed Terminal 2, is currently being refurbished for the future, introducing the latest technologies, notably the contactless concept, arising from public health requirements due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Airside

Important expansion and improvement projects were completed on the airside, including the construction of Runway End Safety Areas, a new General Aviation Terminal, Apron B construction for 23 Code C aircrafts, entirely new airside marking and signage, and a new Rescue and Firefighting Station.

ACI Asia-Pacific's SL Wong presents a plaque to Mr. Ho Chee Tong, CEO of YACL

People Development

The company’s goal for the future was to prepare the younger generation by building capacity, acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and attitude while retaining the talents to sustain management in the future. To this end, YACL embarked on a mission to create a pool of competent and forward-looking international airport professionals from the very onset.

Employees have completed the International Airport Professionals through the Global ACI-ICAO Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP), an executive development programme for airport executives worldwide. The company also invested in ACI Global Safety Network with staff graduating with Gold Diploma and with Silver Diploma. Other accredited programmes provided by industry entities such as ICAO, IATA, and ACI were also successfully completed.

Today and Tomorrow

YIA was not spared the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the suspension of international and domestic flights and border closures since March 2020. Traffic dropped dramatically with subsequent loss of revenue and temporary closures of businesses.

In the short term, efforts to ensure sustainability of YIA need to be implemented.

For the long term, YACL management need to review its sustainability policies.

YIA has an important role as the main gateway of Myanmar. YIA serves as the connection hub for Yangon and Myanmar’s economic growth. Future growth will be secured through a technically, environmentally and economically balanced approach.