Due to the closure of the Mandalay to Myitkyina road, air ticket prices have doubled, and it has become difficult to purchase them, according to travelers.

Since August 16, due to military operations, including attacks by joint forces of the KIA and PDF in towns along the Myitkyina-Mandalay road, including Intaw, which borders Kachin State and Sagaing Region, the road has been closed indefinitely.

Since the road has been closed, travelers from Kachin State to Mandalay have been relying on only one airline, which has led to an increase in air ticket prices since August 18, making it difficult to purchase tickets, according to a local man from Myitkyina currently in Mandalay.

‘I couldn’t find a ticket for around the 28th or 29th of this month. I was told I would have to wait until next month. Different airlines have different schedules. For instance, KBZ won’t have tickets available until around the 8th of next month, while MNA will not have tickets until after the 10th of next month. We’re having to book far in advance and wait,’ he said.

It is reported that it now takes from one week to more than ten days to get an airline ticket, and after the road closure, ticket prices have also doubled.

‘The prices have jumped since the road was closed this month. Before the closure, the ticket price from Myitkyina to Mandalay on Air KBZ was around 300,000 kyats, but now it has increased to over 400,000 kyats. For Myanmar National Airlines (MNA), the price was around 350,000 kyats, and now it has gone up to over 500,000 kyats. The prices have increased significantly,’ said a representative from a ticket sales office.

There are only three airlines operating between Mandalay and Myitkyina: Air KBZ, Myanmar National Airlines (MNA), and Mann Yadanarpon. It is reported that Mann Yadanarpon Airlines has also raised its ticket prices to as much as 550,000 kyats.

‘Mann Yadanarpon and MNA operate three to four times a week. However, because travelers have no choice but to use these airlines, tickets are selling out quickly. As the number of passengers has increased, the ticket prices have been raised a little. Also, the price of aviation fuel has gone up,’ said a female ticket sales representative.

Basic food and consumer goods are also becoming more expensive in Myitkyina because of air freight costs, which range from 5,000 kyats to over 10,000 kyats per kilogram, depending on the type of airline.