Since its creation in 1948, the national flag carrier of Myanmar has operated under several different names. Based at Yangon International Airport (RGN), the airline has, throughout its 74-year history, operated scheduled services to all major domestic and regional destinations in Asia. It did however suspend all international flights between 1993 and 2016.
Following Japanese occupation during World War Two and the resumption of British rule after the war, Burma Airways was founded in 1948 after the Southeast Asian nation’s independence from its colonial ruler. Initially operating with domestic flights, only Burma Airways began flying internationally to neighboring countries in 1950. In the early days of the airline, its fleet consisted almost entirely of Douglas DC-3 and Douglas C-47 aircraft.
Burma became Myanmar in 1989
In 1989 the ruling military junta decided to change the country’s name to Myanmar, and the capital city of Rangoon also became Yangon. Interestingly while many countries recognized the name change, the United States and the United Kingdom never recognized it and still refer to the country as Burma. Being state-owned, the airline had no choice but to follow suit, changing its name from Burma Airways to Myanmar Airways on April 1, 1989.
Two Embraer E-190s arrive to replace Fokker F-28s
Looking to replace its aging fleet of Fokker F-28 aircraft Myanmar Airlines signed an agreement with GE Civil Aviation Services Co. Ltd, (GECAS) to lease two Embraer 190s in 2012. This was later followed by another deal with GECAS at the 2014 Singapore Air Show for four Boeing 737-800s and six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Worth an estimated $960 million, the deal was the most significant single aircraft order in the history of Myanmar’s aviation industry.
Again looking to present a new face to the nation and the world, Myanmar Airways rebranded itself as Myanmar National Airlines in December 2014. After having stopped all international routes in 1993, Myanmar National Airlines decided to resume flying to other nations in 2015 to coincide with the arrival of its first next-generation Boeing 737s.
When speaking about the order for the Boeing 737-800s and the MAXs in a Boeing statement Myanmar National Airlines CEO Than Tun said:
“Our new 737 will allow us to expand our network to international markets and offer an even better experience for our passengers. Investing in new technology aircraft such as the 737 and 737 MAX will ensure Myanmar National Airlines continues to be the pride of the country and positions us for future success.”
Flights from Yangon International Airport (RGN) resumed to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on August 19, 2015. The airline’s second international flight to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) resumed on December 4, 2015, following the arrival of its second Boeing 737-800. Myanmar National Airlines added a third international destination on February 20, 2016, when it began flying from Yangon to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Myanmar National Airlines has 12 planes
According to the aviation statistics and data website ch-aviation, Myanmar National Airlines’ current fleet is made up of the following aircraft:
- 8 x ATR72-600s
- 2 x Boeing 737-800s
- 2 x Embraer ERJ 190-100LRs