YANGON, 16 Nov - The soft opening ceremony of Monywa airport of Civil Aviation Department under the Ministry of Transport was held at the airport this morning, attended by Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council North-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Directors-General of Civil Aviation Department and officials, President of Shwe Than Lwin Co Ltd and officials, local authorities and local people.

Before the ceremony, a Fokker-28 landed at runway of Monywa airport, the commander, ministers and those present watched it. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Director-General U Win Maung of Civil Aviation Department and President of Shwe Than Lwin Co Ltd U Kyaw Win formally opened the airport. Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe unveiled the signboard of the airport. The commander and ministers then viewed round the airport lounge.

Formerly, the runway was 5,000 feet long, 100 feet wide and nine inches in thickness. Under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Department, Shwe Than Lwin Co Ltd implemented project for the airport to be extended starting from May, 2002. Now, Fokker-28s can take off and land in the new airport. It is 6,000-foot long and 100-foot wide gravelled tarred runway. Moreover, there included a VIP lounge and a 250-passenger capacity lounge and a control tower in the 180 feet long and 60 feet wide airport building. The runway will be upgraded into 8,500 feet long and 100 feet wide as the second phase. There will be two flight schedules a week starting from 27 November.

Source: MRTV- courtesy of KK Thein (Singapore)