Myanma Airways to pursue major government-backed international expansion following 737 GECAS deal

Myanma Airways has unveiled an ambitious expansion plan which will see the government-owned domestic carrier pushing into Myanmar's fast-growing but highly competitive international market. Myanma Airways plans to use a new fleet of 737-800s to launch services to North Asia in 2015, with a focus on Korea and Japan.

The carrier on 11-Feb-2014 signed an agreement with GECAS to lease 10 new 737s, including six 737-800s and four 737 MAX 8s, which will roughly double the carrier's fleet. Myanma Airways currently operates a fleet of 10 regional aircraft, including two Embraer E190s which were leased from GECAS just over one year ago.

The expansion at Myanma Airways is somewhat controversial as it will lead to the country's only government-owned carrier competing more with Myanmar's fast-growing private airline sector, which includes seven carriers with up to four more to be launched in 2014. The Myanmar government is keen for local carriers to capture a larger share of Myanmar's international market and stimulate tourism, but investing in a potentially over-ambitious expansion at Myanma Airways is a risky proposition.