Myanmar will not see any international commercial flights until next year and domestic airliners will remain grounded until December 15 at the earliest.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications’ Department of Civil Aviation circulated a notice to international airliners stating the ban will extend until December 31.
Despite at least one domestic airline releasing its December flight schedule to tour operators, Golden Myanmar Airlines, Myanmar National Airlines, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines and Air KBZ all announced on Facebook today (November 30) that they will halt services until December 15.
The move has poured water on hopes of early December getaways for many Yangonites after indications that nationwide travel restrictions may be lifted.
Tin Myint, the Yangon Region chairman of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association, told 7Day News that he expected domestic tourism would be allowed in December but that it would not be enough to revive immediately revive the battered industry.
About 180 hotels in Yangon Region have been allowed to receive guests again after being vetted by his association and the Ministry of Health and Sports, he said.
“The opening is to allow the hotels to pay their employees and have them work so as not to let the hotel quality deteriorate,” he added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today that a ban on the issuance of all types of visa and foreigners’ entry through land borders would continue until December 15.
While the government allows some hotels in Yangon to reopen, confusingly it has also kept in place stay-at-home orders. But in recent weeks the orders have felt more like suggestions—and widely ignored suggestions to boot—as the streets are bustling and the roads are packed with traffic.
Bars and restaurants are still banned from sit-in services, though some have been quietly welcoming customers. The Myanmar Restaurant Association has asked the Yangon Region government to allow restaurants to reopen in line with Covid-19 regulations, warning that many businesses are facing financial ruin.
*This story originally said a ban on international commercial flights would be extended to December 15. The story has been updated to state that the ban on international flights will in fact be extended to December 31.
