Myanmar’s flag carrier Myanmar Airways International recently said that it will begin direct flight service in November 2011 linking Yangon with Bali and Jakarta.

The flight service is being started in an attempt to boost the bilateral trade between Myanmar and Indonesia.

The decision to start the direct Yangon-Jakarta-Bali flight service has come after the recent visit of Myanmar President U Thein Sein to Indonesia this year in May.

Thein Sein said that the plan to start a direct flight service linking Yangon with Jakarta and Bali by Myanmar Airways International is keeping in view the potential of the two countries in the tourism sector with both having beautiful beaches, scenery and historic cultural heritage.

The airline also said that there were plans to introduce Yangon-Singapore-Jakarta flights soon. Besides, a direct flight service between Yangon and Dubai will also be started in October 2011. The airline is also planning more flights to Qatar, UAE, Japan and South Korea.

The Myanmar Airways International is currently operating flight services from Yangon to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Gaya, Guangzhou and Siem Reap.