Wednesday, 08 February 2012 21:19 Myo Thein
The alert was implemented after a letter threatening a bombing was received by the Burmese embassy in Bangkok. Sources said the bombing might involve a Muslim male.
The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) under the Directorate of Air Transport determined the threat level.
“The DCA upgraded the alert level to grade 1 after receiving the threat on Friday,” said a senior official at the airport.
Sources said that warning notices were posted in warehouses of Myanmar Cargo Services (MCS) at Rangoon airport saying a Muslim male bomber might make an attack on planes.
Despite the high security alert, ordinary air travel continued and observers said they did not notice any special security measures at the airport.
Meanwhile, in what appeared to be an unrelated move, it was announced this week that security forces deployed at the airport by the air force and Military Affairs Security (MAS) would be withdrawn not later than March 1 and be replaced by DCA personnel and security forces under the Home Ministry.
Home Minister Lieutenant General Ko Ko visited the Rangoon Mingaladon Airport at the end of January to coordinated the security shift, sources said.
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