Yangon-Sittwe flights to be increased for Rakhine Thingyan

Aye Myat Khaing, Narinjara News, 5 April 2022

The flights will increased between Yangon (Rangoon) and Sittwe to accommodate the large number of visitors for  participating in Rakhine Thingyan  (water festival), according to Royal Thazin Travels & Tours Co. Ltd.

A manager from the tour company revealed that many people have shown interest in attending the great traditional Thingyan festival.

"The Yangon-Sittwe route will be extended soon. However, other cities are yet to be included. Many people prefer to travel from Yangon to Sittwe for the water festival during the vacation,” he added.

Man Yadanarbon Airlines will operate two more aircrafts every day on the route from 7 to 10 April.

The price of air tickets was increased to kyat 90,000 (from kyat 75,000) in March and now the  Yangon-Sittwe ticket costs more than kyat 110,000 since the beginning of April.

According to the ticket sellers, the number of visitors to Rakhine State is still high despite the price rises. Tickets for 9, 18 and 19 April have already sold out, he added.

Presently, Myanma Airways, Air KBZ and Man Yadanarbon Airlines are operating two flights per day to Rakhine State.

A passenger having a ticket to fly from Yangon to Mrauk-U during the festival told Narinjara News that as the gun fighting in Rakhine State has been stopped and the Covid-19 situation improves,  he prefers to enjoy the festival.

Due to the war and also the corona infection in Rakhine State, Thingyan could not be observed in 2019, 2020 and 2021. This time, the Rakhine people have prepared for a grand festival.