Junta eyes Manaung Airport upgrade in 2027-2028 fiscal year pending funding

By Admin 06 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

6 June 2026, Manaung

Upgrades to Samonetel Airport in regime-controlled Manaung Township will be carried out during the 2027-2028 fiscal year if funding is approved, junta authorities said during a Pyithu Hluttaw session on June 5.

U Kyaw Than, the lawmaker representing Manaung Constituency, raised questions during the parliamentary session about plans to expand the airport runway. He said local residents are facing serious transportation difficulties as Manaung Island currently lacks both road links and regular ship services.

"Manaung Island is isolated with no reliable vehicle or ship transport. Traveling and connecting to other towns has become extremely difficult, which is why we are requesting an expansion of Manaung Airport to accommodate larger commercial aircraft," U Kyaw Than said.

Commercial flights to Manaung were suspended following the 2021 military coup and resumed only on April 24, 2026, using small L-410 aircraft.

The aircraft operate three days a week between Manaung, Yangon, Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, but can carry fewer than 20 passengers per flight.

The planes are also unable to land at Manaung Airport during periods of heavy rain. Local sources estimate that the existing 4,500-foot runway would need to be extended by about 2,500 feet to accommodate larger aircraft throughout the year.

Responding to the inquiry, junta-appointed Deputy Minister for Transport U Tun Lu said budget allocations for the runway extension and reinforcement project would be requested for the 2027-2028 fiscal year, with implementation dependent on funding approval.

"If funds are granted for the 2027-2028 fiscal year, we will initiate the first phase to allow ATR 72-600 aircraft to land and take off. This will involve extending the current 4,500-by-100-foot runway by an additional 1,500 feet to the south, alongside completing reinforcement overlay works," U Tun Lu said.

Manaung remains the only island township in Arakan State that has not seen active fighting. However, residents continue to face severe economic hardships due to travel and transport restrictions imposed by the regime.

Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung are the only urban centers in Arakan State that remain under regime control. As a result, residents in those areas must rely primarily on air travel for transportation and communication.