Most domestic flights to Arakan State suspended amid aviation fuel shortage

By Admin 23 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

23 March 2026, Sittwe

Most domestic flights across Myanmar, including routes to Sittwe and Kyaukphyu in Arakan State, have been suspended due to an ongoing aviation fuel shortage linked to a global fuel crisis triggered by the conflict between the United States and Iran, according to airline industry sources.

Sources close to the airline sector said flight operations have been severely restricted since March 21, with only a limited number of domestic routes remaining in service.

“Flight operations have been temporarily halted due to limited aviation fuel supplies. Currently, flights are operating only to Dawei, Myeik, Kawthaung, Kalay, Naypyitaw and Mandalay. Services to Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Homalin, Monywa, Kengtung, Tachileik and other destinations have been suspended,” said a woman linked to the airline industry.

She added that domestic flight schedules have been reduced to the minimum level possible.

Travel agencies warned that continued suspension of flights could push ticket prices higher in the coming weeks.

A Sittwe resident said flights to the town have been suspended until March 26 due to rising fuel costs, and that services are expected to resume on a limited weekly basis.

“I was told flights are suspended until the 26th. Even after resuming, they may operate only once a week. Ticket prices are likely to increase further,” the resident said.

Currently, one-way airfares between Sittwe and Yangon range between K700,000 and K800,000, with expectations that prices could reach up to K1 million.

Locals in Sittwe expressed concern that disruptions to Yangon–Arakan air routes would severely affect patients and others needing urgent travel to Yangon.

Travel agencies have also been forced to suspend ticket sales due to uncertainty over flight schedules.

A ticketing agent in Yangon said sales have been halted for several days.

“We have stopped selling tickets for about three days. Even if systems show available flights, cancellations are unpredictable. If tickets are issued and flights are later cancelled, refunds become difficult. Cancellations are happening almost daily,” he said.

He advised passengers to be cautious and not assume tickets are readily available.

As the US–Iran conflict continues, countries around the world are adopting measures to manage the global fuel crisis. However, the military authorities in Myanmar have faced public criticism over their handling of the situation.

Meanwhile, despite disruptions to commercial aviation, military air operations reportedly continue across the country.