The coronavirus pandemic—and not just nerves—has halted the opening of Chin state’s first major airport, which is based dizzyingly high on its remote mountains.
Surbung Airport in Falam township was expected to open in late May weather-permitting but the date was pushed back to September. Now a government official says the airport will begin operations as late as next year because of Covid-19 restrictions’ impact on travel and public health.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Kyaw Myo told the Daily Eleven that Myanmar National Airlines will still conduct flight tests, as construction has been completed at the site, but the opening ceremony has been cancelled.
When the airport does eventually open, it will initially run direct flights to Yangon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay and the Sagaing town of Kalay, according to the news outlet.
But passengers should come to terms with landing on a strip of 100-foot-wide tarmac running for 6,000-foot along the Surbung mountain range.
About 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from scenic Falam town, the former World War Two air base will be presented with hazards such as fog masking mountains during the rainy season and smoke plumes from slash-and-burn farming during the hot season.
But the 37-billion kyat (US$25 million) airport is thought a necessity in the remote, predominantly Christian region, which is otherwise only accessible by roads that sometimes turn treacherous and impassable during bad weather.
Tourists will have a quicker route to experience Chin culture and the lush landscape, which provides a reason as well as a barrier for trips there. Nearby attractions include the heart-shaped Rih Lake and Mount Victoria, known as Nat Ma Taung in Burmese.
Surbung Airport will also play an important role in emergency and rescue situations, along with generally improving regional links.
The runway was built to handle ATR 72 planes—the type of aircraft powered by two turboprop engines that hold between 72 to 78 passengers; the carrier of choice for the country’s short-haul airliners.
On its completion, Myanmar will have domestic airports in all seven states, while this one, sandwiched between Sagaing region and the Indian state of Mizoram, may well boast the best views and most hair-raising landings.
