Regime looks to use planes for border trade with China 

By Admin 07 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 November 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime is reportedly planning to use air transport for transnational commerce as “Operation 1027”, launched last month by the Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, has brought Myanmar’s cross-border trade with China to a halt.

The regime will utilise the new flight of state-owned airline Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) to Kunming to maintain the border trade with China, according to a source close to MNA. According to the MNA website, its planes will fly three times a week from Yangon to Kunming and back.

“As the China-Myanmar border trade gates have been closed, it is a measure taken for merchants not to suffer losses,” said the source.

According to the MNA website, a one-way ticket costs more than US$400. The airline has yet to announce freight rates.

Traders say the flights are not an economical substitute for overland shipping.

“The amount of cargo that an aeroplane can carry is limited. And the transportation costs will be higher than transportation by road. So, merchants will only suffer losses,” said a border trader.

Border trade through the Shan State towns of Chin Shwe Haw, Muse and Shweli has halted due to Operation 1027, launched by the Brotherhood Alliance on October 27, with goods getting stuck in those towns.

“Some cargo trucks are stuck at the Chinese border, some are stuck in the border trade zone, and some on the Lashio road,” said a merchant from Muse.

Merchants said the cost of transportation by air can be up to five times higher than transport by road.

The war zone has been expanding in northern Shan State, with the ethnic alliance so far seizing some 120 junta outposts and taking control of eight towns over the past 12 days.