Air Bagan launches direct flights to Burma from Phuket

PHUKET: Burmese airline Air Bagan will launch twice-a-week, direct fights between Phuket and Yangon on April 11.

“The round-trip tickets for the flights, operating Mondays and Fridays, will cost around 10,900 baht and include in-flight food and drink,” said PB Travel Agency Center Managing Director Suranat Taweesap.

Air Bagan will open an office in Phuket Town this month, but the airline is already accepting bookings for the flights, he added.

After providing two passport-sized photographs and paying US$30 on arrival in Burma, passengers will be issued visas.

The process will take about 30 minutes, Mr Suranat said.

The Phuket flights will connect with domestic services to 21 destinations within Burma, he added.

Serving the new route will be Air Bagan Fokker aircraft configured to seat 92 passengers.

“The flights will be much more convenient and cheaper for tourists already in Phuket. The direct flights from Phuket will take just two hours, whereas the current flights depart only from Bangkok,” Mr Suranat said.

As part of the launch, Air Bagan is offering discount travel packages costing 20,900 baht for travel from April 11-15 and 19,900 baht for trips taken from April 15-18.

The packages include round-trip fares, accommodation, food and tours in Yangon, Hongsawadee and Kyaikhtiyo.

Air Bagan also recently launched direct flights to Yangon from Chiang Mai and from Chiang Rai.

— Atchaa Khamlo