Yangon International Airport

Yangon International Airport
ရန်ကုန်အပြည်ပြည်ဆိုင်ရာလေဆိပ်
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerGovernment of the Republic of Union of Myanmar
OperatorYangon Aerodrome Co., Ltd
ServesYangon
LocationMingaladon 11021, Yangon
Yangon Division, Myanmar
Opened1947 (1947)
Hub for
Elevation AMSL109 ft / 33 m
Coordinates16°54′26″N 96°07′59″E / 16.90722°N 96.13306°E / 16.90722; 96.13306
Websiteyangonairport.aero
Maps
RGN
Location of airport in Myanmar
Interactive map of Yangon International Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 11,201 3,414 Asphalt
Statistics (2018)
Passengers6,104,854
International passengers3,930,590
Source: Yangon Aerodrome Co. Ltd.[1]

Yangon International Airport (Burmese: ရန်ကုန်အပြည်ပြည်ဆိုင်ရာလေဆိပ်, MLCTS: rankun apranyprany hcuingra lehcip [jàɴɡòʊɰ̃ əpjìpjì sʰàɪɴjà lèzeɪʔ]) (IATA: RGN, ICAO: VYYY) is the primary and busiest international airport of Myanmar. The airport is located in Mingaladon township, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of central Yangon. Many domestic Myanmar carriers and international airlines operate at Yangon International Airport. The airport is also colloquially known as Mingaladon Airport due to its location.

History

As RAF Mingaladon

During World War II, the airfield was called RAF Mingaladon and served as an operating base for fighter aircraft such as:

Additional units based there were:

There was also a Communication Flight of the Burma Volunteer Air Force equipped with de Havilland Tiger Moths and Westland Lysanders and anti-aircraft support for the airfield was provided by members of the 12th Burma Rifles.

As Japanese airfield

During the Second World War, in 1941 the Japanese began their attack on Burma, including an air raid on Mingaladon. By 1942, the outnumbered Allied forces had retreated and the Japanese took over the airfield. Mingaladon was then used by the Japanese, and Japanese bombers based in Bangkok were moved forward to Mingaladon when there was a full moon. The British at the Wireless Experimental Centre in Delhi had decrypted BULBUL, the IJA air-to-ground code, and could predict Japanese air raids. On one occasion Allied nightfighters "got the lot and all night we could hear Mingaladon air base calling for its lost children".[5]

Becoming Yangon Airport

After World War II, Yangon Airport was built on the site of the former RAF Mingaladon in 1947 by the Calcutta Metropolitan Airports Authority. Once regarded as the best in Southeast Asia and the primary airport serving that region, the airport fell into disrepair and remained that way for decades, as new super hubs like Singapore Changi Airport, Kuala Lumpur Sepang, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta were built and superseded Yangon's facilities.

In November 2012, Condor began flying seasonally to Frankfurt with Boeing 767s. The outbound flight from Yangon made a stop in Phuket, but the inbound one was direct.[6][7] The airline cut the route at the end of the first season.[8] Airport capacity was boosted to 6 million passengers per year in early 2016.[9] Currently, there are plans to build a new, larger airport, Hanthawaddy International Airport, on a much larger site and somewhat away from Yangon.[10]

Modernization

A modernization program was launched in April 2003 and resulted in a new terminal and an extended 3414 m runway.[11]

Designed by the Airport Development Division of CPG Corporation of Singapore, a new terminal was constructed at a cost of US$13.3 million by Asia World.[12] It can handle 900 arriving and 900 departing passengers simultaneously.[13] The design meets IATA service standards and complies with ICAO safety and security standards at a cost of SG$30 million. Other notable features include:

  • Separate floors for arriving and departing passengers to lessen congestion
  • Automated baggage handling system with an integrated check-in system
  • Four air bridges, capable of handling four Boeing 747s
  • Special lounges for use by government officials and business people
  • A two-story parking garage with spaces for 340 vehicles

In June 2011, the government announced plans to expand the airport by 40% and increase its capacity from 2.7 million passengers to 3.8 million passengers annually.[14] The airport was already over its annual capacity of 2.7 million passengers, having accepted 3.1 million in 2012[15] and 4 million in 2014.[16] To fulfill this increased demand, new international and domestic terminals are being constructed and are expected to be finished end of 2016. After upgrading, Yangon International Airport will be able to service 6 million passengers annually.[16]

In 2013, a contract worth $150 million was awarded to a consortium led by an affiliate of Asia World to construct a new domestic terminal and expansion of airport apron.[15]

The new international terminal (T1) opened in March 2016, with the previously existing international terminal being designated as T2. The new domestic terminal (T3) opened on 5 December 2016.

Terminals

Terminal 1

In August 2014, the old domestic terminal was demolished and construction began for the new six-story Terminal 1,[17] which will handle international flights. The opening ceremony was held on 12 March 2016. After the opening of Terminal 1, the airport can handle 6 million passengers annually, as opposed to 2.7 million before.

Terminal 2

After the opening of Terminal 1, the former International Terminal was renamed "Terminal 2."[18] The building was designed by the CPG Corporation of Singapore and constructed by the Asia World Company costing US$13.3 million. The terminal can handle 900 arriving passengers and 900 departing passengers at the same time. Terminal 2 was closed in July 2018 to undergo extensive renovation. All international flights now operate from Terminal 1.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3, which is used for domestic flights, opened on 5 December 2016, replacing the old domestic terminal, which was demolished in August 2014.[19]

Guard of Honour Building (VIP terminal)

The former VIP terminal was temporarily used as the domestic terminal until Terminal 3 was completed. The Guard of Honour Building was demolished to make way for a connector between Terminals 1 and 2.

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Air China Beijing–Capital
China Airlines Taipei–Taoyuan[20]
China Eastern Airlines Kunming
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou, Shenzhen
Korean Air Seoul–Incheon[21]
Myanmar Airways International Bangkok–Don Mueang, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Da Nang, Dhaka,[22] Hanoi,[23] Ho Chi Minh City,[23] Penang, Phnom Penh,[24] Phuket, Seoul–Incheon,[25] Taipei–Taoyuan
Seasonal: Gaya[26]
Myanmar National Airlines Bangkok–Don Mueang[27]
Singapore Airlines Singapore[28]
Thai AirAsia Bangkok–Don Mueang[29]
Thai Airways International Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi[30]

Statistics

Top destinations

Busiest flights out of Yangon by flight per weekly, as of 6 July 2024
Rank Destinations Frequency (weekly)
1 Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi 60
2 Mandalay 33
3 Bangkok–Don Meung 28
4 Singapore-Changi 28
5 Bagan–Nyaung U 22
6 Heho 22
7 Dawei 20
8 Kuala Lumpur–International 14
9 Kunming–Changshui 11
10 Nanning 9

Traffic by calendar year

Passengers Change from previous year Movements Cargo
(tons)
2016 5,454,188 70,307
2017 5,916,597 8.48% 78,076
2018 6,104,854 3.18%
Source: Yangon International Airport[1]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 25 March 1978, Fokker F-27 Friendship 200 XY-ADK lost height and crashed into a paddy field just after takeoff from Mingaladon Airport, killing all 48 people on board.[31]
  • On 27 January 1998, a Myanma Airways Fokker F27 crashed while taking off from Yangon, Myanmar, killing 16 of the 45 people on board.{{cn}
  • On 29 January 2017, U Ko Ni, a constitutional lawyer and advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi, was assassinated outside Gate 6 of the airport.
  • On 8 May 2019, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight 60, operating the Dhaka-Yangon route by Bombardier Dash-8 Q400, skidded off the runway while landing. Nobody was injured critically. The 33 people, including the pilot, co-pilot and the passengers, suffered minor injuries.[32]
  • On 2 August 2019, a Golden Myanmar Airlines Y5-506 ATR-72-600 departed from Mandalay to Yangon airport, and the landing gear of nose wheel broke when it landed on the runway of Yangon International Airport. No significant damage or injuries were reported in the incident.[33]

Airport shuttle bus

The Yangon Bus Service (YBS) provides airport shuttle bus line that stop at 13 bus stops between Yangon International Airport and Yangon Central Railway Station. The buses make stops at Yangon International Airport, 8 Mile, Nawade, Kaba-Aye Pagoda, Lanni, Hanmithit, Shwegondine, Bahan 3rd Street, Kyauktaing, Yauklan and Sule Pagoda. Stops on the return journey include Sule, Yangon Railway Station, Zoological Gardens, Bahan 3rd Street, Shwegondine, Lanni, Kaba-Aye Pagoda, Nawade, 8 Mile and the airport.[34]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b "Built for 20 million MPPA, Yangon International Airport welcomed 5.92 million passengers to round off 2017". Yangon Aerodrome. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 129.
  3. ^ Lake 1999, p. 18.
  4. ^ Lake 1999, p. 126.
  5. ^ Smith, Michael (2000). The Emperor's Codes: Bletchley Park and the breaking of Japan's secret ciphers. London: Bantam Press. pp. 244–246. ISBN 0593-046412.
  6. ^ "Condor to Start Siem Reap and Yangon Service in W12". Airline Route. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  7. ^ Khanna, Rahul (24 September 2012). "Condor to fly to Yangon in November". TTG Asia. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Flight plan Winter 2013/14" (PDF). Condor. March 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  9. ^ "About the Airport". yangonairport.aero. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  10. ^ "Progress on new Yangon airport". Bangkok Post. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Yangon airport completes runway extension". 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Yangon International Airport opens new terminal". 25 July 2007. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009.
  13. ^ "Yangon international airport terminal put into service after renovation". 25 May 2007.
  14. ^ Aye Sapay Phyu (20 June 2011). "Government reveals plan to expand Yangon International Airport". Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  15. ^ a b "Myanmar Air Services Grow Rapidly Despite Safety Record". 22 October 2013.
  16. ^ a b "A 2015 finish planned for first part of Yangon airport expansion". 2 February 2014.
  17. ^ Terminal 1
  18. ^ "Terminal 2". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  19. ^ "လေဆိပ်". asiaworldcompany.com.
  20. ^ "Taipei, Chinese Taipei TPE". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 1253–1255. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  21. ^ "Seoul, Korea Republic Of SEL". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 1186–1190. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  22. ^ "MAI to expand Chiang Mai, Vientiane, Dhaka flights in April - Global New Light Of Myanmar". 10 March 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Hãng hàng không tư nhân lớn nhất Myanmar sắp có mặt tại Việt Nam" [Myanmar's largest private airline is coming to Vietnam soon]. Bao Giao Thong (in Vietnamese). 19 August 2022.
  24. ^ "MAI moves Phnom Penh flights to Techo Airport from 9 Sept". 6 July 2025.
  25. ^ 미얀마국제항공(8M) 12월 4일 인천- 양곤 취항으로 편리해지는 미얀마 하늘길. www.ttlnews.com (in Korean).
  26. ^ "Myanmar Airways International to commence Yangon-Gaya service". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  27. ^ "Myanmar National Airlines to launch Yangon-Bangkok Don Mueang service from Feb-2025". Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Singapore, Singapore SIN". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 1214–1219. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  29. ^ "Bangkok, Thailand BKK". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 109–113. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  30. ^ "Bangkok, Thailand BKK". OAG Flight Guide Worldwide. 27 (2). Luton, United Kingdom: OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited: 109–113. August 2025. ISSN 1466-8718. OCLC 41608313.
  31. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Biman Airlines Plane Skids Off Runway in Yangon, Myanmar". The New York Times. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  33. ^ "Yangon airport runway closed temporarily after a plane nose wheel breaks". Mizzima News. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  34. ^ "YBS Airport Shuttle commences in Yangon - Global New Light Of Myanmar". www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

Bibliography

  • Lake, A (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Media related to Yangon International Airport at Wikimedia Commons
  • Yangon International Airport
  • Yangon International Airport Facebook
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