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 RakhineThingyan  (water festival), according to Royal Thazin Travels & Tours Co. Ltd.

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

"The Yangon-Sittwe route will be extended soon.However, other cities are yet tobe 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 kyat110,000 since the beginning of April.

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

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

A passenger having a ticket to fly from Yangon to Mrauk-U during the festival told Narinjara News that asthe gun fighting in Rakhine State hasbeen 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 Rakhinepeople have prepared for a grand festival.