Myanma Airways, the flag carrier of Myanmar, has tapped AviaSolutions to help implement an international expansion plan focusing on route and network development involving 10 newly leased Boeing aircraft.
The airline on February 11 signed a memorandum of understanding with AviaSolutions, the consulting business of GE Capital Aviation Services (Gecas), to create and implement a strategic growth plan for the airline.
Myanma Airways is also leasing six Boeing 737-800 models and four Boeing 737-8MAX models from Gecas. The aircraft come from Gecas’ existing order book with Boeing.
Myanma Airways on February 10 signed a contract with Gecas to lease the new Boeing narrow bodies reportedly valued at US$960 million and scheduled for delivery between June 2015 and 2020.
“We are delighted to work with GE Capital Aviation Services to develop and upgrade our airline fleet and expand routes into key markets in the region,” said Captain Than Tun, Myanma Airways managing director. “Our collaboration with a leading multinational U.S. company like GE will benefit the airline and the economy of Myanmar.”
“We are delighted to be supporting the national airline, Myanma Airways in this period of growth for both the country and the airline. It is an exciting project and one that will leverage our airport and airline expertise,” said John Carter, managing director of AviaSolutions.
Established in 1948, Myanma Airways is currently serving mostly domestic destinations from its main base at Yangon International Airport.
In related news, Gecas, the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, said it has inked a purchase-and-leaseback transaction of four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft with Malaysian Airlines System (MAS). The first two aircraft was delivered in January, and the remaining two will be delivered in March and April.
MAS, the flag carrier of Malaysia, operates a fleet of more than 100 aircraft to more than 80 destinations worldwide.
