Inidan air carrier, IndiGo airline has launched its first direct flight between Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal State, and Yangon.
IndiGo made its inaugural flight to Yangon on Friday using an Airbus A320, which can carry 180 passengers. The flight takes between two and two-and-a-half hours.
‘’The Myanmar Tourism Federation, together with our sister association, Myanmar Tourism Marketing, will fully support and coordinate with tourism stakeholders and the government to further develop our tourism industry,” said U Khin Aung Tun, vice chair of the federation.
“We will participate in more road shows in India in the near future to develop tourism in the two countries,” he added.
Most Myanmar tourists visit India as pilgrims, especially in the holy city of Bodh Gaya beside the Falgu River. Many Myanmar monks go to India to study Buddha’s teachings.
According to the Bodh Gaya Pilgrimages Working Committee, about 40,000 Myanmar pilgrims visit the religious site annually.
‘’This daily flight will help Myanmar tourists,” U Than Naing, a travel operator, said. “It will help reduce ticket prices.”
Myanmar Tourism Marketing and IndiGo announced they will promote air links targeted not only at Buddhist pilgrims from Myanmar but also at commercial passengers from India.
The Myanmar government recently extended its visa-on-arrival programme for Indian passport holders till the end of next September.
Ref:www.mmtimes.com