NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Myanmar is due to have its second international flag carrier in August, when United Myanmar Airlines expects to begin operations with two leased Boeing 737-400s. The carrier is a joint venture between state-owned domestic operator Myanma Airways and Hong Kong-based investment holding company Sunshine Strategic Investments.
Sunshine Strategic Investments chief executive Edward Tan says a public "launch" of the new airline is scheduled for 9 July, allowing a formal launch of operations just over a month later.
The carrier will be 51%-owned by Myanma Airways and 49%-owned by Sunshine Strategic Investments.
Sunshine Strategic Investments will have management rights and has appointed former Singapore Airlines executive Joseph Hooi as chief operating officer.
United Myanmar Airlines will be the country's second national carrier after Myanmar Airways International, which is a joint venture between the Myanmar government and a unit of Singapore's RegionAir.
It initially plans to operate two leased 737-400s to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, flying "triangular" routings originating in Yangon and returning to the capital via Mandalay, which the government is promoting as a tourist destination.
It later plans to operate to Patna in India, Penang in Malaysia, Seoul in South Korea and Shanghai in China.
Source: Flight International
