Statement Of Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited

The last 2 years have been challenging in all aspects for the aviation industry worldwide, including for Myanmar. International commercial flights have been suspended in Myanmar since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country March 2020.

YACL, as the operator of Yangon International Airport (YIA), the main aviation gateway of Myanmar, continues to operate without failure. We have been providing essential airport services at YIA for emergency and relief flights for passengers and cargoes the suspension of flights to and from the country. YIA is currently the only international airport operating in Myanmar currently.

YACL has encouraged vaccinations against COVID-19 for all its staff and entities operating at YIA. To date, all our staff have been fully vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccines and booster shot.
Together with our partner, YIA’s fully equipped medical centre located within the airport is capable of performing 150 PCR test daily with result available within one hour. Medical emergency support as well as facilitation of individuals tested positive are in place to ensure the safety of these individuals and the public.

Various SOPs for public health safety have been implemented at YIA, in line with international best- practices and guidelines from the health authority. We are working with our stakeholders to ensure that the suspension of international commercial flights can be lifted as soon as possible. Our team is constantly reviewing updates of requirements of countries of origin and destinations to ensure full compliance.

Meanwhile we are continuing with repair, maintenance and upgrading works at YIA, with particular emphasis on safety, security and operational efficiency.

Airport and airline operators expect that additional health requirements, supply chain disruptions and higher aviation fuel prices pose a combined challenge of cost escalation. YACL will endeavour to minimise cost increases to support the recovery of the aviation industry.

In response to recent queries, YACL reiterates that it is not involved in any business of import or sale of jet fuel at YIA, nor anywhere else. YACL’s business activities at YIA are transparent and in line with Myanmar Civil Aviation rules and regulations and ICAO’s Standard and Recommended Practices.

The growth in passengers and movements numbers has been encouraging. Passenger and traffic movements at YIA in 4Q 2021 increased 479% to 284,229 pax compared 59,332 pax and 269% to 6,620 movements compared 2,456 movements respectively in 4Q 2020. The increase is driven mainly by the domestic segment. YACL expects continuing growth for 2022 in line with a general expectation of increased air travel globally as more countries re-open borders for fully vaccinated travellers or introduce Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs).
 

We believe that together as an industry, working as closely as we have done since YACL took over the operation and management of YIA in 2015, we will all emerge stronger as the sector begins a much-awaited recovery in Myanmar and beyond.