Interesting flight: Russia and Myanmar will launch direct flights from Moscow
Russia and Myanmar will sign a new Air Service Agreement in the near future — the document is in the final stage of preparation, the Russian Embassy told Izvestia. This is a necessary step to launch direct flights from Moscow. However, the exact dates of their appearance are still unknown, Russian diplomats said. According to experts, there will be no mass tourist flow due to the recent military conflict in the country. Despite the lifting of the state of emergency, certain groups continue to operate in Myanmar. Why this does not prevent countries from cooperating in the energy and space sectors is described in the Izvestia article.
Tourism for Russians in Myanmar
Russia and Myanmar are discussing launching direct flights from Moscow, the Russian Embassy in the country told Izvestia. However, the exact dates are unknown, the diplomatic mission clarified.
"It is necessary to finalize a new document on cooperation in the field of civil aviation, as the Agreement on Air Services between the USSR and the Government of the Union of Burma dated 1970 is currently in force," the diplomats noted. — The updated version is in the final stage of preparation, and we look forward to signing it soon.
Izvestia sent a request to the Embassy and the Government of Myanmar with a request to comment on the expansion of flights.
Additionally, it is required to work out the loading of flights with representatives of the tourism business from both Russia and Myanmar. And, of course, wait for the high season period, although more favorable conditions for Russian and Myanmar travelers have already been created after the Agreement on the Mutual Abolition of Visa Requirements for citizens of the two countries entered into force on January 27 this year, as well as the expansion of Mir cards to more than 80 reception points in Myanmar in 2025.
Currently, flights from Novosibirsk to Yangon are operated by Myanmar Airways International. Technically, the flight is direct, but with a stopover in Mandalay for refueling. Passengers have to spend extra time waiting. The possibility of flights without refueling will make flights more convenient for Russians.
In the short term, demand from mass tourists may be limited, according to Alexander Korolev, Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute of Higher School of Economics. According to him, Myanmar is not yet among the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia compared to Thailand or Vietnam. Nevertheless, demand will grow with the advent of convenient flights from major Russian cities.
The minimum prices for flights from Russia to Myanmar in one direction only are about 65 thousand rubles. At the same time, a flight from Moscow to the capital of Thailand will cost at least 41 thousand rubles, and to the capital of Vietnam — 51 thousand rubles. There are package tours to Myanmar, but their number is extremely limited.
For example, a program with flights and excursions to the main cities and attractions of the country for seven days costs over 224 thousand rubles for two people (additional tickets must be paid), market participants clarified to Izvestia. For comparison, a tour to Vietnam with flights and hotel accommodation for 10 nights for two people costs about 170 thousand rubles, to Thailand — from 117 thousand rubles for 10 nights, although this amount does not include excursions.
The ideal conditions for visiting temples, going on excursions and beach holidays in the country are in winter. At this time, there is little rain and comfortable temperatures. In most parts of the country, the air warms up from +28 to +32 degrees. Russian cards can be used in Yangon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay, Pyin-U-Lwin, Bagan and Taungji. The geography and speed of the implementation of the domestic payment system largely depends on the number of Russian tourists in the republic.
"The Myanmar authorities are interested in developing and diversifying their cashless payment system, and connecting Mir cards is not very difficult from a technical point of view," the embassy added to Izvestia. — The issue of issuing cash kyat at ATMs of financial institutions in Myanmar is also being worked out, currently it is possible to withdraw currency only at one ATM of the Yangon Mingaladon International Airport.
Being able to withdraw local currency is important. Many small vendors (street food, markets, porters, tour guides) work only for cash kyats. They are also used for traveling by public transport. Tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis, and boats are usually paid for in cash, but there is not a card terminal everywhere. When haggling at the market or buying souvenirs, it is also better to have small bills. There are almost no non—cash payments in the "hinterland" - kyats are mandatory there.
What will complicate cooperation between Russia and Myanmar
Tourism is not the only area in which the parties can cooperate. Direct flights are of great importance for business contacts, Korolev stressed. The most promising areas are energy, military-technical cooperation, education and training, as well as agriculture and extractive industries. Russian energy technologies and specialist training are particularly important for Myanmar, while access to the Southeast Asian market and participation in infrastructure projects are important for Russia, the expert added.
On March 4, 2025, the parties concluded an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a low-power nuclear power plant in Myanmar. The facility's capacity will be at least 110 MW, and it can be increased to 330 MW. The station will be built on the basis of a Russian-designed water-powered reactor. Rosatom plans to supply parts for it.
On September 26, 2025, Russia and Myanmar signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of space, and on February 25 — on partnership in manned space exploration. The Russian Federation is ready to ensure the selection and training of the first Myanmar cosmonaut. The parties also agreed to deploy a measurement collection station for the GLONASS system in the republic. The site has already been allocated on the territory of the University of the Republic.
The main obstacle to the development of cooperation is the recent armed conflict in the country. In 2020-2021, it experienced a crisis caused by violations committed during the parliamentary elections and the Government's refusal to conduct an independent investigation. The military exercised its prerogatives under the Constitution and took power on February 1, 2021. Then the country declared a state of emergency. He was removed in July last year, and parliamentary elections were held in December and January. In April, a vote will be held for the country's president, who will form a new cabinet, the diplomats said. We can't say that the tension has subsided yet.
"Armed ethnic (non—ethnic Myanmar) groups remain active in the border areas of Myanmar, and the armed People's Defense forces (Myanmar's main illegal democratic opposition) are conducting attacks," the Russian embassy explained. — In general, the situation in the country is under government control, there have been no incidents with Russian citizens visiting Myanmar for tourist purposes.
After 2021, Myanmar found itself in partial international isolation, and Moscow became one of Naypyidaw's key foreign policy partners, Korolev noted. According to him, relations are pragmatic: the republic is interested in technology, investment and political support, while Russia is interested in strengthening its presence in the ASEAN region, diversifying foreign economic relations and expanding markets. Currently, Myanmar remains an exotic "for the brave" destination for tourists, but for business it is a new window to Asia.
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