RANGOON — The Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia will soon fly direct flights between Naypyidaw and Kuala Lumpur as the Burmese capital prepares to host a major regional summit next month.
The maiden flight will take place on Nov. 10, 2014, and will be AirAsia’s second direct flight to Burma, after Rangoon-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia state media reported on Friday, citing a press release from AirAsia. Tickets start from 169 ringgit (US$52).
The airline also offers indirect flights from Kuala Lumpur to Mandalay, via Bangkok.
AirAsia will be the first airline to fly directly to Naypyidaw from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, but Win Swe Tun, director general at Burma’s Department of Civil Aviation, told The Irrawaddy that the flights would likely only be offered for about a month.
“There is the 25th Asean Summit in November and the AirAsia company is planning the scheduled flights for the delegates to attend the summit,” he said. The summit is scheduled to run from Nov. 12-13. The East Asia summit will follow, concluding on Nov. 14.
During the 27th Southeast Asian Games, Thai AirAsia, a joint venture of the Malaysian airline and the Thai firm Asia Aviation, launched a scheduled flight between Naypyidaw and Bangkok for visitors attending the SEA Games, which were held in Rangoon and Naypyidaw. That service is no longer offered.
AirAsia was founded in 2001, and has since flown 220 million guests to more than 88 destinations, according to the company’s website.