AirAsia PH, AirAsia Zest eye Myanmar flights

MANILA, Philippines – AirAsia Philippines, as well as its unit AirAsia Zest, are looking to start flights to Myanmar as part of route expansions.

AirAsia Philippines is seeking entitlements of 1,260 seats between Manila and Yangon, according to its application with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). AirAsia Zest is seeking allocation of entitlements for 7 weekly fights between Manila and Yangon.

Earlier, budget airline Cebu Pacific and unit Tiger Airways Philippines sought the approval of CAB to mount flights to Myanmar. Cebu Pacific’s application seeks 1,260 weekly seats for flights between Manila and Yangon, while Tigerair Philippines also filed a separate application with the CAB seeking 1,260 weekly seats for the Manila-Yangon route.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla earlier said the Philippines and Myanmar signed a new air pact, updating an older agreement from 1979.

The agreement would allow the designated airlines of each country a total of 3,780 seats per week – about 3 flights per day – for each country between Manila and points in Myanmar. The Philippines and Myanmar also agreed on unlimited traffic rights between all points in the Philippines, except Manila, and all points in Myanmar.

“Myanmar is a rapidly growing economy of about 60 million people, with a potential for the development of direct connectivity with the Philippines,” Arcilla said. – Rappler.com