Myanmar Airways International

History

The airline was founded by the government before independence in 1946 as Union of Burma Airways. It initially operated domestic services only. International services were added in 1950. The name was changed to Burma Airways in December 1972, and then to Myanma Airways on April 1, 1989, following the renaming of the country from Burma to Myanmar. International services were transferred to Myanmar Airways International, which was set up in 1993.

Myanmar Airways International (MAI) took off in August 1993, initially created as a joint venture between Myanma Airways and Singapore-based Highsonic Enterprises, with the support of Royal Brunei Airlines. It boasted a Singapore management team (many ex-Singapore Airlines staff), new Boeing aircraft, all-expatriate cockpit crews, improved training for flight attendants and new UK Civil Aviation Authority operating standards. Eventually, the original joint venture was terminated and MAI became a wholly owned Myanmar company. In January 2001, a new joint venture was formed in which Region Air Myanmar (HK) Ltd., took a 49% stake and a local businessman through his company Zan Co. took an 11% share and Myanma Airways retained 40%.

In 2001, a new corporate identity and aircraft livery were rolled out and the company completed its first major cabin-crew-upgrading program. In 2002, the airline obtained new International Air Transport Association (IATA) airline designator codes and joined both the IATA Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement (MITA) and IATA Clearing House. The airline sent 122 employees on training courses at Malaysia Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines training centres. In 2003, MAI launched a code-share agreement with Thai Airways International on the Bangkok-Yangon-Bangkok route. The company also has code-sharing with Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Jetstar Asia Airways. In 2004, the airline took delivery of new uniforms for ground staff and recruited a further 16 new cabin-crew trainees.

In February 2007, the foreign management team under Region Air Myanmar (HK) Ltd. transferred its control to MAI.

New MAI , Expansion and modernization (2009-present)

Just before the 2010 general elections, the government sold an 80% stake in MAI to one of the biggest private bank in Myanmar, Kanbawza Bank Ltd and 20% is retained by state-owned domestic carrier, Myanma Airways. MAI did not have any aircraft of its own and had to lease short-haul aircraft from neighbouring countries when it was under Myanma Airways. It was in 2009 that MAI received its first own fleet and second aircraft joined later that year. MAI had a long history of government run international air travel when MAI was founded in 1993 as a joint venture company between Myanma Airways and Singapore base company.The running of the international airline really did not radically change until 2010 when the KBZ group attends an 80% share of MAI bringing in an era of sector and route changes. Since then, MAI has been expanding its fleet and currently the flag carrier has total of 5 Airbus A320s and 2 Airbus A319s. It also leased Airbus A321s from Air Méditerranée in the winter of 2010-2011 and deployed them on Bangkok-Singapore services. Non-hub routes between Bangkok-Singapore and Siem Reap-Phnom Penh were successfully inaugurated in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In 2013, MAI received IOSA certificate, the only recipient in Mynmar of the IATA Operational Safety Audit Program (IOSA) Operator. In 2014, MAI is the complete member of Kanbawza (KBZ) Group.With the KBZ group acquiring 100% of MAI the future of the airline is definitely optimistic and encouraging.

Sky Smile Privilege Program

In this frequent flyer program, MAI offers two levels of membership - Diamond and Ruby. Passengers who have traveled on three return flights within one calendar year are entitled to apply for the Ruby membership and start earning points required to qualify for the next level. If a passenger has completed a minimum of six return flights with his Ruby membership, the membership will automatically be moved up to the Diamond membership scheme. A Sky Smile Privilege Program member can redeem the mile points earned by flying with MAI for free travel tickets.

Sky Smile Executive Lounge

MAI Sky Smile Executive Lounge at Yangon International Airport is offered exclusively for Diamond Card Members and business class passengers. The lounge offers refreshments, entertainment and business secretary services.

Destinations

Myanmar Airways International serves the following destinations:

Codeshare agreements

Myanmar Airways International has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet

The Myanmar Airways International fleet comprises the following aircraft (as of August 2016):

Previously Operated

MAI has operated a variety of aircraft types, including: