Myanmar airlines: consolidation arrives; MAI & Air KBZ to expand

Long-overdue consolidation is driving change in Myanmar's dynamic airline sector. There are currently five airlines operating in the domestic market compared to eight a year ago and 10 three years ago.

Five is still a large number, given that less than 3 million passengers fly within Myanmar annually, but the recent wave of consolidation should drive a major improvement in market conditions.

Profitability, which has been unachievable this decade by virtually all airlines in Myanmar, is now a possibility and some of the remaining competitors should be able to accelerate expansion.

Myanmar's largest private airline, Air KBZ, is planning to expand its fleet by 50% this year and aspires to overtake government-owned Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) as the largest domestic competitor. Air KBZ's sister airline Myanmar Airways International (MAI) is also planning to double its fleet in 2019, ending a long period of no growth.