Myanmar considering proposal for 'stopover flights' by Singapore carriers: PM Lee

Yangon, Myanmar

MYANMAR is considering Singapore's proposal for the Republic's carriers to make "stopover flights" in the country, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, even as he acknowledged the anxiety among its leaders that this opening up of air links would hit Myanmar's domestic-travel market.

The idea is to allow passengers of Singapore Airlines and SilkAir who travel to Myanmar to make stops in Yangon and Mandalay, where they can spend some time touring or doing business in each city; they then return on the same airline to Singapore.

Mr Lee, who discussed this during his meetings with Myanmar's new leaders while in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, said he was certain that the number of tourists would spike if Singapore carriers could offer such a package.

He noted a similar arrangement for SilkAir flights to Cambodia, under which a passenger can alight in the capital Phnom Penh, then take that same plane to go to Siem Riep at a later date.

Mr Lee, noting that it was his predecessor Goh Chok Tong who suggested the idea to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, said: "Siem Reap is booming and Cambodia is benefiting, and (Cambodia) is very happy they did this.

"Every time (Mr Hun Sen) sees me, he reminds me that it was Mr Goh's advice (to have these flights) and he is really happy that he took that advice."

He added that while Myanmar is mulling the proposal, it remains anxious because its own airlines are wary of the extra competition they would face.

"I can understand that. But in the end, they have to make a decision based on Myanmar's interests and I hope they will think about this matter seriously. We will continue to present the case to them, because it's for their benefit too."

Mr Lee, who returned to Singapore on Thursday evening after a three-day trip, was the first foreign head of government to visit Myanmar since its new government was sworn in less than three months ago.

While in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, he met President Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the speakers of Myanmar's Parliament and Lower House.

He also had tea with former president Thein Sein, who is now the chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing.

Singapore and Myanmar are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and Mr Lee said Singapore has supported its fellow Asean member state along its "very difficult road of reform and path to democracy".

The Myanmar of today is the result of an evolution over the last 15 to 20 years, he said, and added that Singapore was happy to see a new leadership at the helm.

"We have good relations with the new government ... Their task is formidable. It's nation building, it's a long journey to go, there's time to catch up," he said.

Myanmar has "fallen behind" the rest of South-east Asia over the years, including the major cities such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

"It needs to develop (its) policies, the capabilities, and the team which can make the policies and lead the country forward in a united way, unite the country in order to improve the lives of the people," said Mr Lee.

"We are supportive of the Myanmar government. They have a tough job. I'm sure they will be strengthening their team, and I wish them well."