Myanmar extends visa on arrival

Indian air carrier IndiGo has started flying daily out of from Yangon International Airport (YIA) to Kolkata from 20 September 2019.

IndiGo operates an Airbus A320, which can accommodate 180 passengers, for the 2.5 hours flight each way.

The service will enhance air links between Myanmar and India – two countries which enjoy rich historical and cultural ties.

The flight follows recent promotions by YACL, Myanmar Tourism Marketing and IndiGo to promote air links targeted at commercial passengers as well as Buddhist pilgrims from Myanmar visiting sacred sites in India such as Bodha Gaya and Indian pilgrims to temples and monasteries including the Shwedagon Pagoda and Bagan, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, among others.

The Myanmar government also recently extended its visas-on-arrival grant to Indian passport holders till the end of September 2020.

With the addition of this new airline, YIA now connects to 33 international destinations operated by 34 international airlines.

Welcoming IndiGo’s inaugural flight at Yangon International Airport Terminal 1 on 20 Sept 2019,

Welcoming IndiGo, U Kyaw Myo, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said: “IndiGo is the largest passenger airline in India by fleet size and I am pleased that they will be operating here in Yangon International Airport starting today.

“We are very confident that IndiGo air will contribute to the development of tourism as well as trade and commerce between India and Myanmar.”

India’s Ambassador to Myanmar Saurabh Kumar, and U Khin Aung Tun, Vice Chairman of Myanmar Tourism Federation attended the celebration of IndiGo flight to YIA.

Saurabh Kumar added “It is very satisfying to see IndiGo establishing this connection between Yangon and Kolkata. IndiGo has over 120 flights out of Kolkata to different destinations in India. In essence, passengers from Yangon now have access to most of the major destinations in India.” fiinews.com