Yangon Airways temporarily grounded

A statement issued by the airline's management to local travel operators described the move by the Department of Civil Aviation to suspend its Aircraft Operator Certificate as a "crisis" and "a bolt from the blue".

This is thought to be linked to a failed takeover bid by a rival airline.

"Much to our regret, we would like to inform you that all our scheduled services will be temporarily suspended with effect from December 3 until further notice," said the statement.

The sudden announcement comes at a time where the industry is preparing for the busiest season of the year, and has presented some difficulties for ticketing agents and tour operators.

According to the airline's spokesman, all ticketing agents have been requested to transfer confirmed bookings with Yangon Airways to other domestic carriers.

"We have some tours and confirmed bookings with Yangon Airways in December. If they had let us know (about the stoppage) earlier, it would have been better because we could have avoided booking with them," said a spokesperson from a travel company. (Sources: Rahul Khanna, Yangon, TTGAsia)