The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
An Airbus A319, An ATR 72 & A Deserted Airport: My Journey Through Myanmar During A Civil War
My experience with Myanmar Airways in 2026 was positive, given the stark realities the airline faces in the current environment.
Aviation reporter coverage from SmartMarty Sky details Myanmar Airways International (MAI) as the country’s privately owned full-service carrier, based in Yangon and serving international routes from both its Yangon and Mandalay hubs.
The report notes that the author traveled with MAI in September and October 2026, flying from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Mandalay International Airport (MDL).
It describes the broader context of Myanmar’s airline industry since 2021, stating that the sector has contracted and become more fragile and constrained politically and strategically, particularly on the domestic network, though it has not collapsed entirely and remains operational.
The narrative is framed around the author’s journey, referencing MAI as the carrier used for the flights between DMK and MDL during the specified period, and acknowledges MAI’s role as Myanmar’s primary airline.
No specific dates other than the October 2026 publication window are provided for the flights themselves, and no aircraft types, incidents, injuries, or direct quotations are included in the supplied material.