Direct flights between Myanmar and Russia will start by July

The Myanmar junta and the Russian counterpart are not only working in political and military ties, but also joining hands in business affairs. Under the initiative, a direct flight between Myanmar and Russia will start by July this year, reported BETV.

Myanmar investment and foreign economic relations minister Dr Kan Zaw recently announced about the flight during the SPIEF-2023 International Business Forum at St Petersburg.

“Myanmar Airways International's flights will start its operation next month. MAI will fly from Yangon and Mandalay to Russia's capital Moscow and Novosibirsk once a week,'' he added.

The Russian citizens are eagerly waiting for the direct flights to Myanmar, and the Russian hotels and tourism ministry is planning to present the Russian friendship program very soon.

“This program will arrange travels from Russia to Myanmar,'' said Dr Zaw.

Myanmar is expecting the Russian authorities to reciprocate by exempting visa restrictions for their nationals, he added.

Since 2022, the Myanmar authorities have allowed the Russian citizens to enjoy seamless tourist visa facilities.

Currently, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two governments for initiating various hotel and tourism activities at Ngapali beach of Rakhine State in western Myanmar.

However, it has received critical views that this initiative would help Russia to build a naval base on the Rakhine coast in the days to come.