Military troops to be removed from Rangoon Airport

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 18:44 Myo Thein

(Mizzima) – Soldiers of the Military Affairs Security Unit (Air Force) that guard Rangoon Airport will be withdrawn no later than March 1, according to reports. 

From March 1, only security forces under the control of the Home Affairs Ministry will provide airport security.

The airport in Burma’s largest city has undergone a modernization program launched in April 2003 including a new terminal and an extended 11,200-foot runway.

The country’s main international airport is located 12 miles from downtown. It has direct flights to regional cities in Asia – mainly, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, and Singapore. Although domestic airlines offer service to about 20 domestic locations, most flights are to tourist destinations such as Bagan, Mandalay, Heho and Ngapali, and to the capital, Naypyitaw.