Myanmar's Yangon International Airport reopens after two-year suspension

Myanmar reopened Yangon International Airport (RGN) on April 17, 2022, after suspending operations for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Southeast Asian country suspended commercial flights in March 2020 in an effort to curb COVID-19 infections. April 17, 2022, the day of the airport’s reopening, also coincided with the Burmese New Year festival, ‘Thingyan’.

According to Beijing’s Xinhua News Agency, the first flight to arrive at RGN following its reopening was a Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) flight at 09:00 local time on April 17, 2022.

Inbound passengers to RGN need to present proof of vaccination with a Ministry of Health-approved vaccine and a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report. Meanwhile, all foreign travelers must submit COVID-19 medical insurance purchased from Myanmar Insurance.

All incoming travelers must also wait at designated hotels for the RT-PCR test result expected to be sent by the Health Ministry in 24 hours.

Myanmar is one of the last Southeast Asian countries to reopen to travel, as neighboring countries like Vietnam and Thailand reopened borders in January and February 2022, respectively.