Air Thanlwin has reduced the number of Mawlamyine–Yangon flights because of a significant drop in passenger demand, according to travel industry officials in Mawlamyine, Mon State.
The airline, which previously operated four flights per week, has cut its schedule to only two flights, on Mondays and Fridays, starting from November 15, sources said.
“In the past, there were four flights a week. Now it’s only two because fewer people are flying. Road and rail transportation has become more convenient, so fewer passengers choose the airline,” a staff member from a Mawlamyine travel agency explained.
To avoid difficulties for emergency medical patients and urgent travelers, Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) announced that it will operate one Yangon–Mawlamyine flight every Wednesday starting from November 19, the airport management said.
Passengers have increasingly shifted to road and train travel due to the rising cost of airfare, nearly 700,000 kyats for a round trip, and reduced security checks at the Nyaungkharshey Gate.
“A round trip by plane costs about 700,000 kyats. But by car, it’s only around 200,000 kyats, and the train is even cheaper. Most people won’t pay three times more unless it’s an emergency. Only wealthy people can afford it,” a Mawlamyine resident said.
In 2024, Air Thanlwin operated up to six flights a week on the Mawlamyine–Yangon route. In 2025, the number dropped from four flights per week to just two.
During the COVID-19 period, the route was also limited to two flights per week — on Mondays and Thursdays.
