Myanmar National Airlines
Corporate brand
UnclaimedMyanmar National Airlines is Myanmar's state-owned flag carrier, operating domestic services and selected regional flights from its Yangon base.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Myanmar National Airlines is the flag carrier of Myanmar and one of the country's principal scheduled passenger airlines. The state-owned carrier is based in Yangon and uses Yangon International Airport as its main base, with Mandalay International Airport also serving as an important operating centre. Its core role is domestic connectivity: the airline serves major cities and regional destinations across Myanmar, linking the country's commercial centre with administrative, tourism and provincial markets that have historically had limited surface-transport alternatives. The airline was established by the Burmese government on 15 September 1948, shortly after independence, under the name Union of Burma Airways. It initially concentrated on domestic flying, but introduced limited international services to neighbouring countries in 1950. Over the following decades it operated under several names reflecting political and national terminology. It became Burma Airways in December 1972 and Myanma Airways on 1 April 1989, following the official adoption of Myanmar in place of Burma. In December 2014, the carrier adopted the current Myanmar National Airlines name as part of a broader effort to modernize and reposition the airline. International operations have been intermittent. Myanma Airways withdrew from its own international routes in 1993, while international activity connected with the airline was also handled through Myanmar Airways International, a joint-venture airline in which the national carrier became the majority shareholder. After an absence of more than two decades, Myanmar National Airlines rebuilt its international network with newer aircraft and resumed scheduled international flying in 2015. Singapore became the first destination in the renewed international program, followed by Hong Kong and Bangkok. The restart positioned the airline as a national symbol and as a competitor to foreign and private carriers serving Myanmar's principal gateways. Fleet renewal was central to the rebranding and network expansion. In 2012, the airline arranged leases for two Embraer 190AR aircraft, replacing older Fokker F-28 equipment. At the 2014 Singapore Airshow, it announced a major agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services for six Boeing 737-800 aircraft and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement was described as the largest single aircraft order in Myanmar's aviation industry at the time and one of the largest commercial transactions involving a United States company and Myanmar in decades. The first Boeing 737-800 arrived in June 2015, supporting the return to international services. The brand presents itself as a full-service national carrier rather than solely as a low-cost domestic operator. Its offer has included economy, premium-economy and business-class products on selected aircraft, although the availability of premium economy has changed as aircraft configurations and leasing arrangements evolved. Newer Boeing 737-800 and ATR 72-600 aircraft introduced updated cabins, in-flight entertainment and passenger amenities. The airline has also offered Mingalabar Service, a paid or complimentary airport-assistance package depending on cabin class, including priority processing, lounge access and ground transfers at Yangon International Airport. Myanmar National Airlines also provides ground-handling services for other airlines' chartered, scheduled and non-scheduled operations. It has maintained interline relationships with carriers including Hahn Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines. The airline's scale, routes and operations have been affected by Myanmar's political instability, economic conditions, aviation demand and security environment. In September 2022, one of its ATR 72 aircraft was struck by a projectile while landing at Loikaw Airport; one passenger was injured. Despite such operational challenges, the carrier remains an active state-linked airline and a significant part of Myanmar's domestic aviation infrastructure.
History
Myanmar National Airlines was founded by the government on 15 September 1948, soon after Myanmar's independence, as Union of Burma Airways. The new airline was created to provide national air links across a country where geography, limited road infrastructure and long travel distances made aviation strategically important. Its first years were focused on domestic services, although limited international flights to neighbouring destinations were added in 1950. The carrier changed its name several times as Myanmar's political and national terminology evolved. In December 1972, Union of Burma Airways became Burma Airways. On 1 April 1989, after the country adopted the name Myanmar, the airline became Myanma Airways. During the later twentieth century, it operated a mixture of domestic scheduled services and international activity, but it withdrew from its international routes in 1993. International operations associated with the national airline were also organized through Myanmar Airways International, a joint-venture carrier established in 1993 in which Myanma Airways was the majority shareholder. In 2003, a proposal was made to establish a Myanmar-based airline called Air Myanmar for charter international passenger and cargo operations. The proposed company would have combined Myanma Airways with private investors, but the plan was abandoned in 2005. Myanma Airways continued to focus on its established national role and also provided ground-handling support for other airlines operating chartered, scheduled and non-scheduled flights. A fleet transition began in the early 2010s. In 2012, the airline arranged leases for two Embraer 190AR aircraft, allowing it to replace older Fokker F-28 aircraft from November of that year. A larger modernization plan was announced at the Singapore Airshow on 11 February 2014, when the carrier signed a reported agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services for six Boeing 737-800s and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The order was characterized as the largest aircraft order in Myanmar's aviation history at that time and a major commercial transaction between Myanmar and a United States company. The airline adopted the Myanmar National Airlines name in December 2014. The new identity was intended to reinforce its national-carrier status while supporting a more contemporary commercial image. Its first Boeing 737-800 arrived in June 2015. With the newer aircraft, the airline announced plans to restore international services after a hiatus of roughly 22 years. The inaugural renewed international flight operated from Yangon to Singapore on 19 August 2015. A Yangon–Hong Kong service began on 4 December 2015, and flights to Bangkok were scheduled to begin on 20 February 2016. The modernization program also affected the onboard product. The airline introduced updated interiors on Boeing 737-800 and ATR 72-600 aircraft, with cabin classes varying by aircraft and period. Business class was offered on the Boeing 737-800, while premium economy was used on some aircraft before becoming unavailable after aircraft equipped with those seats were leased back. Economy class remained the common product across the fleet. The carrier also introduced a wireless in-flight entertainment service branded airstreamUB on equipped Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Mingalarbar Service expanded the airline's airport proposition. Depending on the passenger's cabin class and selected package, the service could include fast-track immigration and security processing, arrival assistance, limousine transfers and access to Mingalabar lounges at Yangon International Airport. In addition to passenger flying, the airline retained a role in aviation services through its ground-handling operations. The carrier has experienced a long record of accidents and incidents under its former names. Historical events include fatal crashes involving Union of Burma Airways aircraft in 1949, 1955, 1956, 1963, 1969 and 1972; Burma Airways accidents in 1977, 1978 and 1987; and Myanma Airways incidents in 1998 and 2009. These events form part of the airline's operational history but are not treated here as evidence of current safety performance. In September 2022, an ATR 72 operated by the renamed airline was hit by a projectile while approaching Loikaw Airport amid Myanmar's civil conflict. One passenger was injured, and responsibility was disputed by the parties named in public accusations. As an active state-owned carrier, Myanmar National Airlines continues to serve domestic markets and selected regional destinations. Its development has been shaped by national transport needs, changing political conditions, international aviation access, fleet modernization and the difficult operating environment in Myanmar.
- 2022
Aircraft struck during Loikaw approach
[1]An ATR 72 is hit by a projectile while landing at Loikaw Airport; one passenger is injured.
- 2015
International services resume
[1]After receiving its first Boeing 737-800, the airline resumes international flying with service to Singapore on 19 August.
- 2014
Major Boeing fleet agreement
[1]The airline signs an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services for six Boeing 737-800s and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
- 2014
Myanmar National Airlines brand launched
[1]Myanma Airways adopts the Myanmar National Airlines name in December.
- 2012
Embraer 190 fleet transition
[1]The airline arranges leases for two Embraer 190AR aircraft to replace older Fokker F-28 equipment.
- 1993
Withdrawal from international routes
[1]Myanma Airways withdraws from its international routes, beginning a long period focused primarily on domestic flying.
- 1989
Renamed Myanma Airways
[1]The carrier adopts the Myanma Airways name on 1 April following the country's renaming from Burma to Myanmar.
- 1972
Renamed Burma Airways
[1]The airline changes its name from Union of Burma Airways to Burma Airways in December.
- 1950
Limited international services begin
[1]The carrier expands beyond domestic flying with limited services to neighbouring countries.
- 1948
Union of Burma Airways is founded
[1]The government establishes the airline on 15 September as Union of Burma Airways after Myanmar's independence.
Products and positioning
A state-owned national flag carrier combining domestic network coverage with selective regional services and a modernized full-service passenger proposition.
Airline network · 1948
Domestic scheduled passenger services
Domestic flying is the airline's principal historical and commercial role. Myanmar National Airlines connects Yangon and Mandalay with major cities and regional destinations throughout Myanmar. The network supports business, government, tourism and essential mobility in a country where overland travel can be slow or difficult. Exact routes and frequencies vary with operating conditions and market demand.
Airline network · 1950
Regional international services
The carrier has periodically operated international services to nearby Asian markets. After withdrawing from international routes in 1993, it restarted the program in 2015 with Singapore and subsequently added Hong Kong and Bangkok. International flying has remained more limited and changeable than the domestic network.
Airport service
Mingalarbar Service
Mingalarbar Service is an airport-assistance offering available on a complimentary basis for business-class passengers and for an additional fee to eligible premium-economy and economy passengers. Listed features have included fast-track immigration and security, arrival assistance, limousine transfers and access to Mingalabar lounges in the international and domestic terminals at Yangon International Airport.
In-flight entertainment · 2015
airstreamUB
airstreamUB is a wireless in-flight entertainment service offered on equipped Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Passengers can use personal smartphones, tablets or laptops to access entertainment content over an onboard wireless connection. Business-class aircraft configurations have also included seatback or arm-mounted screens.
Brand decisions
2015
Return to international operationsStrategyBackground
Myanmar National Airlines had been absent from its own international routes for more than two decades.
Action taken
The airline restarted international services from Yangon to Singapore on 19 August 2015, followed by Hong Kong and Bangkok plans.
Aftermath
The carrier re-established a regional presence alongside its domestic network.
2014
Rebrand from Myanma Airways to Myanmar National AirlinesStrategyBackground
The airline was modernizing its fleet and preparing to rebuild international operations after a prolonged withdrawal from international routes.
Action taken
Myanma Airways adopted the Myanmar National Airlines name in December 2014.
Aftermath
The new identity was used for the carrier's subsequent fleet renewal, product modernization and return to international flying.
2014
Boeing 737 fleet modernization agreementProduct launchBackground
The airline required newer aircraft to improve its domestic fleet and support the planned restoration of regional international services.
Action taken
At the Singapore Airshow, the carrier signed an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services covering six Boeing 737-800s and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Aftermath
The first Boeing 737-800 arrived in June 2015 and was used in the carrier's renewed international expansion.
Reported agreement value. $960 million (2014 announcement)
Recent events
- 2022
Myanmar National Airlines aircraft hit by ground-fired projectile at Loikaw[1]
Other
An ATR 72 was struck by a projectile while landing at Loikaw Airport during Myanmar's civil conflict. One passenger suffered a facial injury. The State Administration Council attributed the incident to opposition forces, while the named groups denied responsibility.
- 2015
International flying resumes after a long absence[1]
Product launch
Following the delivery of a Boeing 737-800, the airline resumed international services with a Yangon–Singapore flight on 19 August 2015. Hong Kong and Bangkok followed as additional regional destinations.
- 2014
Myanmar National Airlines orders Boeing aircraft and begins fleet modernization[1]
Product launch
At the Singapore Airshow, the airline signed an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services covering six Boeing 737-800 aircraft and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The transaction supported the carrier's modernization and international expansion plans.
- 2014
Myanmar National Airlines adopts its current brand name[1]
Other
Myanma Airways was rebranded as Myanmar National Airlines in December 2014, aligning the carrier's identity with its role as the country's national airline.
Sources1 sources
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