The Myanmar military is poised to put a disused civilian airport in Pakokku, Magwe Region back into operation for military purposes as it intensifies its campaign against resistance forces.
Anti-regime groups say the regime is clearing villages surrounding the airport, which was built on 150 acres of farmland confiscated from farmers by the previous military regime in 2002. Constructed by the Department of Civil Aviation and Htun Pan Construction Co, the airport opened in 2005.
But airlines and travelers preferred Nyaung-U Airport 32 km away and Pakokku Airport fell into disuse. During President Thein Sein’s administration in the 2010s, there were plans to reopen it to prevent damage to Bagan temples from aircraft vibrations.
One battlefield source said the regime started preparations in May to reopen Pakokku Airport because of the need to provide air support for ongoing fighting in Chin State, while Kyaukhtu Airport in Saw Township suffered frequent resistance attacks.
“They are revamping the airport to accommodate fighter jets,” the source said. “I heard the asphalt runway now stretches over 2 miles, which makes it suitable for fighter jets, and has been made nearly 2 feet thicker.”
The regime used both civilian and military personnel to mend the airport, and the makeover is almost complete despite frequent attacks from resistance forces trying to disrupt the process, according to a member of the Pakokku People’s Defense Force.
“During the renovation, PDFs launched attacks with rockets and drones. Now that the renovation is nearly complete, the military is preparing for an opening ceremony and is currently clearing nearby areas to prevent PDFs from causing further disruptions,” he said.
With support from warplanes, around 250 junta troops from the 101st Light Infantry Division based in Pakokku raided villages between Pakokku and Yesagyo upriver on Nov. 21, damaging a monastery and six houses and abducting 10 civilians.
Wai Gyi, a Yesagyo Township People’s Defense Team member said: “The regime is trying to put Pakokku Airport back into operation, but anti-regime groups have attacked the junta troops renovating the airport, so the regime is clearing surrounding areas.”
Ne Win Aung, a sergeant who defected from the Myanmar Air Force following the 2021 coup, predicted more frequent air attacks in Sagaing and Magwe regions and Chin State once Pakokku Airport is back in operation.
“They plan is to switch to Pakokku because it’s difficult to transport aviation fuel to Kyaukhtu now,” he said. “The regime previously used Kyaukhtu Airport to conduct air attacks on Rakhine and Chin states and needs Pakokku Airport because of ongoing fighting in [Chin State’s] Mindat.”
The military has air bases in Hmawbi and Mingaladon townships in Yangon Region, Meiktila and Tada-U in Mandalay Region, Taungoo in Bago Region, Pathein in Ayeyarwady Region, Monywa and Homalin in Sagaing Region, Magwe and Kyaukhtu in Magway Region, Myeik in Tanintharyi Region, Myitkyina and Bhamo in Kachin State, Namsan in southern Shan State, Ann in Rakhine State, and Aye Lar in Naypyitaw. But ethnic armed groups have captured the airbases in Lashio in northern Shan State and Thandwe in Rakhine State.
A military analyst said: “With increasing losses in the northeast and northern regions, the regime feels that airports in northern Myanmar are no longer safe. Frequent resistance attacks on airports like Tada-U, Taungoo, Mingaladon, and Hmawbi have made it necessary to secure reserve airstrips. The regime also needs additional airstrips for quick air operations in Chin and Rakhine states.”
Pakokku had an old airport built during World War II, which was used for civilian flights during the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League government but was later abandoned. The new airport which the current regime is renovating now was built by the previous military regime, the State Peace and Development Council.
