Myanmar's Yangon International (YIA) has welcomed the arrival of four million passengers in 2018.
Traveling from China's Kunming on board China Eastern Airlines flight MU 2031, a passenger named Daw Khin Phoo Thit was welcomed and awarded 1 million kyats (667 U.S. dollars) at the YIA Terminal 1 on Tuesday afternoon.
The passenger was also awarded 1 million kyats (667 U.S. dollars) worth gift sets which include a two-night stay in Horizon Lakeview Hotel and Resort in Capital city Nay Pyi Taw, a Samsonite travel luggage and other travel-related items.
"We are glad to welcome our 4 millionth passenger today as we cross the second half year of 2018. With our trained personnel and effective equipment, YIA strives towards our goal of being a high performance airport," said José Angeja, chief operating officer of Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited which is operating the Yangon International Airport.
"We are trying to show our appreciation to travelers through these types of events together with our airlines partners like China Eastern Airlines," he added.
Chen Jinsong, general manager of China Eastern Airlines (Yangon branch), said that there is a sharp increase of arrivals of Chinese travelers in Myanmar during this year and it is expected to see more visitors from China in Myanmar as Myanmar has relaxed visa restrictions which will take effect on October 1 this year.
The China Eastern Airlines will extend three more trips from Kunming to Myanmar on October 24 this year, Chen Jinsong added, pledging to offer high quality services to the travelers and to serve as a bridge for bilateral friendship and economic cooperation between China and Myanmar.
According to official figures, a total of 5.92 million tourists arrived at the YIA, the largest and busiest airport of the country, in 2017.
Of them, international travelers accounts for 66 percent.
At present, there are 28 international airlines and eight domestic airlines running at the YIA which is expecting to annually receive 20 million passengers.
