Qatar Airways resumes flights to Yangon

Qatar Airways yesterday marked the resumption of flights to Yangon after a four-year absence with the launch of scheduled services to Myanmar’s largest city.
Yangon becomes Qatar Airways’ 10th gateway in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) following on from successful operations to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Hanoi, Singapore, Manila and Phuket — and the carrier’s 119th destination worldwide.
It is also the latest of several route launches so far this year by the rapidly growing global carrier.
Qatar Airways suspended flights to Yangon in January 2008, and is now restoring services, providing greater economic and travel opportunities for the people of Myanmar.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker led a delegation onboard the nonstop overnight flight QR618 from Doha to Yangon.
A traditional water salute heralded the arrival of the aircraft this morning as it taxied to the international terminal.
Guests onboard the flight included Khin Zaw Win, ambassador of Myanmar to Saudi Arabia and responsible for Qatar, together with international media.
U Myint Swe, chief minister Yangon Region, officially welcomed the delegation at Yangon International Airport.
Al-Baker said Qatar Airways’ re-entry into Yangon marked one of the Gulf carrier’s most important route launches of the year.
“Yangon becomes our ninth new destination so far this year to join Qatar Airways’ family of routes and the first Asian launch in 2012,” he said.
“Today marks a very special occasion as we celebrate our arrival into a city and country that show enormous potential and growth, both as a competitive tourism destination and center for business in the ASEAN region. There has never been a better time to expand into Myanmar — a country blessed with rich natural resources, and proximity to some of the world’s most dynamic economies,” added Al-Baker.