Yangon International Airport
Encyclopedia
Yangon International Airport , located in Mingaladon, at 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of downtown Yangon
, is the primary international airport
of Myanmar
and the second largest airport in the country.
The airport's old terminal is used exclusively for domestic flights, and the new terminal, in operation since May 2007, handles international flights. The airport, which can handle 2.7 million passengers a year, handled 800,000 international passengers and 1.2 million domestic passengers in 2006. All five Myanmar carrier
s and about 16 international airlines operate out of Yangon International.
airfield in 1947 by the Calcutta Metropolitan Airports Authority. Once regarded as the best in South East Asia, the airport fell into disrepair and was for decades dilapidated and antiquated.
A modernization program launched in April 2003 has so far resulted in a new terminal and an extended 11,200 foot (3414 m) runway. Designed by the Airport Development Division of CPG Corporation of Singapore and constructed by Asia World, a leading Burmese construction firm, at a cost of US$13.3 million, the new terminal can handle 900 arriving and 900 departing passengers simultaneously. Overall design and detailing was carried out to meet IATA service standards and to comply with ICAO safety and security standards at a cost of SG$30 million. Other notable features include:
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
, is the primary international airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
of Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
and the second largest airport in the country.
The airport's old terminal is used exclusively for domestic flights, and the new terminal, in operation since May 2007, handles international flights. The airport, which can handle 2.7 million passengers a year, handled 800,000 international passengers and 1.2 million domestic passengers in 2006. All five Myanmar carrier
Common carrier
A common carrier in common-law countries is a person or company that transports goods or people for any person or company and that is responsible for any possible loss of the goods during transport...
s and about 16 international airlines operate out of Yangon International.
History
The airport was built on a former World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
airfield in 1947 by the Calcutta Metropolitan Airports Authority. Once regarded as the best in South East Asia, the airport fell into disrepair and was for decades dilapidated and antiquated.
A modernization program launched in April 2003 has so far resulted in a new terminal and an extended 11,200 foot (3414 m) runway. Designed by the Airport Development Division of CPG Corporation of Singapore and constructed by Asia World, a leading Burmese construction firm, at a cost of US$13.3 million, the new terminal can handle 900 arriving and 900 departing passengers simultaneously. Overall design and detailing was carried out to meet IATA service standards and to comply with ICAO safety and security standards at a cost of SG$30 million. Other notable features include:
- Separate floors for arriving and departing passengers to lessen congestion
- Automated baggage handling system, integrated check-in system
- Four air bridges, capable of handling four Boeing 747Boeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
s - Special lounges for use by government officials and business people
- Two-story car park with spaces for 340 vehicles.