State-run Myanma Airways (MA) has confirmed it will construct a repair center with France-based aircraft manufacturer Aerei da Tansporto Regionale (ATR) to fix airplanes at Yangon International Airport.
Currently, the ATR planes in use in Myanmar have to be taken overseas to Vietnam, India or Singapore for repairs at larger-scale factories.
However, ATR and MA plan to build a repair center at Yangon International Airport in hopes to reduce local airplane repair costs.
Managing Director of Myanma Airways U Than Tun said construction of the Yangon repair center – which will handle minor and large scale repairs on planes – will be finished in three years. “We have 30 ATR airplanes here. If this project is implemented these planes can be repaired domestically and we plan to obtain international certificates to repair planes from around the world,” U Than Tun told Myanmar Business Today.
This is the first time Myanmar Airways has collaborated with ATR to construct a factory.
Future plans to construct repair factories in other airports around Myanmar are likely to be discussed.
Myanmar Airways, who operate domestic travel services in the country, plans to start operating international flights as Myanmar National Airways in soon.