smiling monkey
30th Aug 2003, 10:49
This artcile is from the Myanmar Times ...
BTW, is this the same de Vaz that is (was?) with SQ? Good to know that cabincrew will be trained in unarmed combat! :\
More routes as MAI gears up to compete with new airline
By Win Kyaw Oo and Myo Theingi Cho
MYANMAR Airways International, the country’s only international carrier, has squashed speculation the airline was closing down in the wake of news a new local international carrier will shortly commence business.
Quite the contrary, said a top MAI’s executive, on a fly-in visit to Yangon.
Mr Gerard de Vaz, the managing director of MAI, said the carrier had ordered additional aircraft and will extend operations to two new destinations in the near future.
He was speaking at a ceremony held at Sedona Hotel on August 20 to mark MAI’s 10th anniversary of operations in Myanmar.
The local media attended the event, where MAI also introduced new cabin crew uniforms.
Mr de Vaz told reporters the airline was generally profitable for the first five to six years from 1993, but there were some losses suffered for a few years up to the end of 2001.
However, he said, the carrier posted a profit last year, but declined to reveal figures.
Asked about the carrier’s annual revenue, he said that most of the company’s revenue was generated during the high tourist season, which covered the costs of providing a year-round operation despite suffering much lower income during the low season.
Mr de Vaz added MAI was alive and well, and would continue to operate.
The no-frills carrier has figuratively tightened its belt to improve efficiency and to make itself attractive in a complicated and fickle industry.
Mr de Vaz said the company’s priority was to retain the market’s trust.
A local economic downturn and the SARS outbreak left the carrier struggling to stay afloat.
He told Myanmar Times that MAI was now well positioned to compete with the regional giants such as Thai Airways International and SilkAir and a newcomer, United Myanmar Airlines.
MAI currently flies only to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It aims to add flights to other cities in the region early next year.
An informed source said the carrier’s new destinations possibly included Chiang Mai.
Mr de Vaz said an airline’s operational costs were quite predictable, as tourists – especially those from Western countries – made reservations three to six months up front.
Asked about job security in the airline industry, Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, a senior staff member of MAI, said performance played a crucial role in maintaining secure employment.
MAI, which was established as a joint venture between Myanmar Airways and Singapore-based carrier Hisonic in 1993, has an agreement to code-share with Thai Airways International for the convenience of long-distance travellers.
Meanwhile, a new carrier, United Myanmar Air, will start flying between Myanmar and other four destinations in October, the chief executive officer of the airline said.
According to Mr Edward Tan, the chief executive officer at the airline, the maiden flight of the airline will start on September 15, two days after the arrival of first two Boeing 737-400 aircraft.
The next aircraft will arrive in Myanmar at the end of this year, Mr Tan said.
The airline will fly to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong, Mr Tan said.
The official opening ceremony of the airline will be held on September 9.
The six-week-training courses including unarmed combat and self-defence, personality grooming and appearance will be conducted for cabin crews from early September, Mr Tan said.
The branch office in Mandalay will be opened in mid September, he said.
The joint venture agreement for the airline was signed by Myanma Airways and Hong Kong-based Sunshine Strategic Investments Holding Company and its partners, Fortune International and Myanmar Smooth Travels Service Company early last month.
BTW, is this the same de Vaz that is (was?) with SQ? Good to know that cabincrew will be trained in unarmed combat! :\
More routes as MAI gears up to compete with new airline
By Win Kyaw Oo and Myo Theingi Cho
MYANMAR Airways International, the country’s only international carrier, has squashed speculation the airline was closing down in the wake of news a new local international carrier will shortly commence business.
Quite the contrary, said a top MAI’s executive, on a fly-in visit to Yangon.
Mr Gerard de Vaz, the managing director of MAI, said the carrier had ordered additional aircraft and will extend operations to two new destinations in the near future.
He was speaking at a ceremony held at Sedona Hotel on August 20 to mark MAI’s 10th anniversary of operations in Myanmar.
The local media attended the event, where MAI also introduced new cabin crew uniforms.
Mr de Vaz told reporters the airline was generally profitable for the first five to six years from 1993, but there were some losses suffered for a few years up to the end of 2001.
However, he said, the carrier posted a profit last year, but declined to reveal figures.
Asked about the carrier’s annual revenue, he said that most of the company’s revenue was generated during the high tourist season, which covered the costs of providing a year-round operation despite suffering much lower income during the low season.
Mr de Vaz added MAI was alive and well, and would continue to operate.
The no-frills carrier has figuratively tightened its belt to improve efficiency and to make itself attractive in a complicated and fickle industry.
Mr de Vaz said the company’s priority was to retain the market’s trust.
A local economic downturn and the SARS outbreak left the carrier struggling to stay afloat.
He told Myanmar Times that MAI was now well positioned to compete with the regional giants such as Thai Airways International and SilkAir and a newcomer, United Myanmar Airlines.
MAI currently flies only to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It aims to add flights to other cities in the region early next year.
An informed source said the carrier’s new destinations possibly included Chiang Mai.
Mr de Vaz said an airline’s operational costs were quite predictable, as tourists – especially those from Western countries – made reservations three to six months up front.
Asked about job security in the airline industry, Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, a senior staff member of MAI, said performance played a crucial role in maintaining secure employment.
MAI, which was established as a joint venture between Myanmar Airways and Singapore-based carrier Hisonic in 1993, has an agreement to code-share with Thai Airways International for the convenience of long-distance travellers.
Meanwhile, a new carrier, United Myanmar Air, will start flying between Myanmar and other four destinations in October, the chief executive officer of the airline said.
According to Mr Edward Tan, the chief executive officer at the airline, the maiden flight of the airline will start on September 15, two days after the arrival of first two Boeing 737-400 aircraft.
The next aircraft will arrive in Myanmar at the end of this year, Mr Tan said.
The airline will fly to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong, Mr Tan said.
The official opening ceremony of the airline will be held on September 9.
The six-week-training courses including unarmed combat and self-defence, personality grooming and appearance will be conducted for cabin crews from early September, Mr Tan said.
The branch office in Mandalay will be opened in mid September, he said.
The joint venture agreement for the airline was signed by Myanma Airways and Hong Kong-based Sunshine Strategic Investments Holding Company and its partners, Fortune International and Myanmar Smooth Travels Service Company early last month.