AirAsia targets 30pc of tourist market in Myanmar

NAYPYIDAW (MYANMAR): AirAsia Bhd, the region's biggest budget airline, plans to carry as much as 30 per cent of tourists visiting Myanmar as the Southeast Asian economy opens up for foreign investment and leisure travel.

The carrier is targeting to move 500,000 passengers this year to the country, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group's chief executive officer, said in an interview here.

The Southeast Asian nation may have about three million tourists this year, he said.

"We want to be 20 to 30 per cent of that pie," Fernandes said.

Myanmar President Thein Sein has allowed more political freedom and loosened economic controls since coming to power two years ago, thus prompting the US and other countries to ease sanctions and attract companies such as the Coca-Cola Co and Ford Motor Co to invest in the coun-try.

The opening up will help add to growth to Sepang, said AirAsia, which has ordered more than 300 aircraft from Airbus SAS as eco-nomic growth in the region spurs travel.

AirAsia has three daily flights connecting Bangkok with Yangon and one daily service between the Thailand capital and Mandalay.

The airline yesterday said it will fly from Bangkok to Naypyidaw daily starting in October.

Fernandes said further plane orders will depend on the company's board.

"Certainly, we can," Fernandes said.

"Whether we can do or not, we will have to wait and see and the board will have to look into it. The demand is there and we have to make sure that the demand is kept, he said," Bloomberg

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