Kyaukphyu GAD controls air tickets to Yangon

By Admin 24 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
24 August 2024, Kyaukphyu

The General Administration Department (GAD) controls the sale of air tickets in Kyaukphyu town, Arakan State, creating inconveniences for travellers.

People have to seek permission from the township GAD for travel. The GAD issues the plane ticket if it approves, sources told DMG.

“People going to Yangon have to seek permission from the township administrator. Once the request is approved, they don’t need to buy plane tickets separately. They just need to pay the money. The GAD issues the air tickets at once,” said a Kyaukphyu resident who is currently in Yangon.

This system has been in place for nearly three months, creating problems for patients who need to travel urgently for medical treatment.

“Travellers have no choice. The administrator completely controls the sale of air tickets. Only those who can pay more money and those close to the GAD staff get tickets first. People who don’t have contacts and people who need to travel urgently for health reasons can’t get tickets easily,” said a Kyaukphyu resident.

Myanmar Airway International and Mingalar Aviation run Yangon-Kyaukphyu flights. A ticket costs 400,000 to 450,000 kyats.

Travellers interviewed by DMG said they had to pay more than 500,000 kyats for a ticket, and that it takes at least five days to get approval from the GAD.

One Kyaukphyu resident said: “The GAD has nothing to do with air tickets. I can accept the requirement of having to seek approval from the GAD to leave the town. But it is not their business to sell tickets. Are they controlling ticket sales to make money?”

DMG reached out to Kyaukphyu Township administrator U Myo Min Htun for comment but did not get a response.

There are three key airports in Arakan State, in Sittwe, Thandwe and Kyaukphyu. The AA has seized control of Thandwe Airport. Military tensions are currently running high in Kyaukphyu Township.