Airfare for Sittwe-Yangon route surges ahead of Thingyan

By Admin 09 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

9 April 2026, Sittwe

In Sittwe, Arakan State, which remains under regime control, airfare for flights from Sittwe to Yangon has surged sharply as the Thingyan festival approaches.

Ticket prices are rising while availability is becoming limited due to increased travel demand ahead of Thingyan and higher aviation fuel costs.

Currently, a one-way ticket for the Sittwe-Yangon route costs around K1 million, while the Yangon-Sittwe route is priced at approximately K900,000.

Due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, aviation fuel prices have increased nationwide, contributing to a steep rise in airfare for routes involving Arakan State.

A local man in Sittwe said, “There are many difficulties. Travel is no longer like before. Airfare has increased significantly. Previously, tickets were around K400,000, but now they are close to K1 million, which is very difficult to manage. I think the prices are high due to the conflict and delays in flights caused by fuel shortages.”

As airfares climb higher than other domestic routes, residents in Sittwe are being forced to delay or cancel plans related to social and educational matters.

With air travel remaining the only viable option to leave Sittwe during ongoing conflict, rising ticket prices have become a major concern for local residents.

A local woman in Sittwe said, “I cannot say whether prices are rising due to Thingyan or fuel costs. Right now, tickets cost over K900,000. Even though airlines set lower official prices, people have to pay much more through resellers. Since air travel is the only way out of Sittwe, I am worried if prices continue to increase.”

Residents also noted that continued increases in airfare will create further hardship for those needing to travel to Yangon for medical, social, and urgent purposes.

Since November 2023, the regime has blockaded both land and water routes to Arakan State, leaving air travel as the only option for residents seeking to travel to mainland Myanmar.

Before the military coup, airfare for the Sittwe-Yangon route was under K100,000. It rose to around K400,000 in 2024 and has now surged to between K900,000 and K1,000,000 this year.