The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will help finance the project. The main goal of the initiative is to make Nyaung-U airport which is the closest airport to the archeological park of Bagan and thus sees considerable tourist traffic, ecologically friendly and fully powered by solar energy. The project goes in line with other Bagan's authorities' initiatives targeting at preserving the enviromnet and minimizing human impact both on nature and historical buildings.
It is not though all as good as it sounds. Eight acres of land have been confiscated to proceed with the expansion of the airport and the reaction of the pulic is predictably not supportive of the project.
Currently 5 domestic airlines operate flights to and from Nyang U Airport, including Air KBZ, Asian Wings Airways, Mann Yatanarpon Airlines, Myanmar National Airlines and Yangon Airways. They connect Nyaung U to the major airports throughout the country: Yangon, Mandalay, Heho (for Inle Lake), Thandwe, Kengtung, Tachileik (border crossing to the Thai town of Mae Sai), Myitkyina, and the capital city of Naypiydaw.
First Green Airport in SEA to Appear in Myanmar
News in Asia
The MInister of Transportation and Communication of Myanmar has recently disclosed plans to upgrade Nyaung-U airport and make it the first green airport in the region.