5 September 2000 The new international airport in Mandalay will finally open on September 4, 2000.
It will handle all domestic flights as of September 10. The official opening ceremony will take place on September 17. ANA, Thai Airways, Air China and Myanmar Airways International will put on special flights for the occasion.
The new airport in Mandalay is located 37 km southwest of Mandalay. It takes one hour from downtown Mandalay and Mandalay hotels to get to the new airport. Pick-up from the hotels will be two hours prior to departure time.
Sightseeing will be adjusted according to the longer traveling times between the airport and city.
Asian Trails, leading Myanmar tour operator, said standard Mandalay itineraries would remain the same and all sights mentioned in the itineraries will be visited.
Clients arriving at Mandalay airport before 09.15 am and having itineraries including the morning Amarapura and afternoon city tour, will travel directly from the airport to Amarapura to see the monks having their last meal of the day at 10.00 am.