MNA to triple carrying capacity

The national carrier received the first of the Boeing 737-800s in June last year, and the third just a few weeks ago, a spokesperson for GE said.
GE Capital Aviation Services expects to deliver two aircraft a year between 2015 and 2020.
MNA already boasts a fleet larger than the next two largest airlines combined. In addition to the three new Boeing aircraft, MNA runs two ATR72-600 turboprops, two Embraer jets and six other smaller turboprops with between 11 and 16 seats per plane.
This gives it a total carrying capacity of just over 900 seats – of which over half is provided by the three new Boeing 737-800s.
In addition to seven more Boeing aircraft, MNA also has five more ATR72-600s on order, which would take its total carrying capacity to just over 2700, according to information provided by MNA.
The only other Myanmar airline that offers regular international routes is Myanmar Airways International.
That carrier operates four Airbus A320 that give it a total carrying capacity of 720 seats, although it may add more Airbus aircraft to its fleet next year, Aye Mra Tha, MAI’s head of marketing and public relations, said.
The pending Boeing and ATR deliveries would take MNA’s fleet to 25. MNA will use its new aircraft for flights to Chengdu and Shanghai, which are expected to start later this year. MNA already flies to Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
MNA’s efforts to bolster its fleet are part of a wider revamp of the national carrier, which includes a corporatisation process that will eventually see it operate as a private company.
Although the firm is increasing its international routes the vast majority of its flights are domestic, and its resurgence represents steep competition for other local carriers.
Source : Myanmar Times

Swiss and German Tourists visit Myan Aung Township

Swiss and German Tourists seen upon arrival at Myan Aung. Photo: Win Bo (IPRD)

EIGHTEEN tourists from Switzerland and Germany guided by Ma Yamin May War arrived at the Ayeyawady Jetty in Myan Aung Township, Ayeyawady Region, on 19 March through waterways. The tourists are touring on the RV Thurgau Exotic II River vessel along the Ayeyawady River.
Upon arrival at Myan Aung, the tousrists visited the Nay Chi Bazaar and downtown Myan Aung and took documentary photos of the ancient buildings in the town.

Source : Global New Light of Myanmar

Growing need to conserve Monastery of Yaw Min Gyi U Pho Hlaing

The Brick Monastery donated by Yaw Min Gyi U Pho Hlaing in 1866. Photo: Maung Pyi Thu (Mdy)

THE Yaw Min Gyi Brick Monastery, donated by Yaw Min Gyi U Pho Hlaing in 1866 (1228 Myanmar Era) requires conservation because of destruction caused by rain and wind.
The monastery was burned down losing all its original wooden infrastructure and concrete rinceaux, there remained only the brick structure during the World War II as the Allied bombed in Mandalay in March 1945.
The wooden beams and floor of the monastery were replaced with concrete beams and concrete floor, and roofed with zinc sheets under the supervision of the Department of Archaeology under the Ministry of Culture in December 1998. Myanmar artists created a rinceaux to match the original. In 2013, according to the instructions of the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Archaeology carried out the work of installing a ceiling, a drainage around the monastery, the installation of doors and windows, Myanmar concrete rinceaux and wiring. The Ministry of Culture has designated the Yaw Min Gyi Brick Monastery as an ancient heritage building.  The Monastery should be renovated and have a garden to attract tourists from abroad and home to come and visit, said a tourist guide.

Source : Global New Light of Myanmar

U Pein bridge repair set to begin soon

 

RENOVATIONS of the U Pein Bridge, a more than 160-year-old tourist a
The bridge will be renovated by the Myanmar Teak Wood Company under the supervision of the Mandalay Region government and the Department of Archaeology and National Museum, said Director U Nyo Myint Tun of the department.
“Renovation works will be carried out in accord with suggestions by historians, experts and local people,” added the director.
The renovation works include replacement of decayed teak pillars with new ones and installing wooden bridge guardrail in original form and minor repairs.  The bridge with 1,086 pillars is 3,967 feet long.
According to sources, the regional government spent K13.4 million on bridge repairs over the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
ttraction in Mandalay, will begin soon, said an official from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.
Aung Thant Khaing
Source : Global New Light of Myanmar