The upgrade of Thandwe airport has commenced with work on extending the runway already takes place

The upgrade of an airport in  Thandwe, Rakhihe State, a project listed under the Myanmar Project Bank, has commenced with work on extending the runway already taking place, said U Zaw Min, director of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

The US$5 million runway will enable it to handle commercial Airbus and Boeing planes after it is complete in 2021. Currently, it is only able to service ATR 72/500 and Emirate aircraft.   

Work will include a 2-inch asphalt concrete overlay applied to the existing runway. 

Thandwe is the local airport to Ngapali beach,  a major tourist attraction in Rakhine State. Its completion is expected to draw more tourism revenue .

“The upgrade of Thandwe airport will be good for the tourism industry and connect Thandwe directly to Ngapali. Currently, tourists are able to fly to Ngapali from Yangon only,” said U Than Naing, a tourism entrepreneur. 

There are 31 domestic airports and three international airports in Myanmar. However, flights land at only 24 airports, according to the DCA. 

The government has so far invested in the upgrade and expansion of 10 airports, including Myitkyina, Heho, Loikaw and Nyaung-U airports, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications. – Translated

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/upgrades-thandwe-airport-runway.html )

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