This article is a continuation. Read the first part here!
Myanmar
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a resource-rich country, bordered by India, Bangladesh, Laos and China. The country is abundant in jade, gems, oil and other mineral resources. While ethnic and political unrest have placed the country in one of the world’s longest-running civil wars, recent times see economic improvements and improved foreign relations.
In terms of aviation, the Burmese industry is facing sluggish growth. In 2011, improvements in the national political situation triggered a boom in foreign investment. However, the anticipated increase in passenger traffic in the following years had barely met expectations. Nonetheless, Myanmar is seen as a superior location, linking India, China and Southeast Asia. Some large foreign airlines see long-term potential in the country, thus, an industrial restructure may be the perfect opportunity to build up aviation in Myanmar.
| National Aviation Authority | Department of Civil Aviation |
| No. of Commercial Airlines | 7 |
| National Carrier | Myanmar National Airlines |
| Fleet Size | 20 (31 destinations) |
Philippines
Made up of over 7,600 islands, Philippines is a popular tourist hotspot known for its rich biodiversity. With an annual growth rate of 6.7% (2017) in GDP, this archipelagic nation is the 3rd fastest-growing economies in the ASEAN region. The country has moved far from its previous ‘one country, one airline’ policy – the industry’s liberalization has allowed aviation activities to grow immensely.
In 2017, Philippines’ busiest airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (formerly known as Manila International Airport) saw a record-breaking passenger traffic of 42,022,484. The presence of several large foreign aviation firms in Philippines has boosted the nation’s MRO and training sectors.
| National Aviation Authority | Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) |
| No. of Commercial Airlines | 11 |
| National Carrier | Philippine Airlines |
| Fleet Size | 67 (66 destinations) |
Singapore
Despite being a small country, island republic is the 2nd richest country in the world, with a GNI per capita of US$90,570. Singapore has been ranked very highly on many international lists – it has been named the most ‘technology-ready’ nation, World’s Smartest City, World’s Safest Country, Second-most Competitive Country, Third-largest Financial Centre, to name a few.
With so many international achievements, it is no wonder that Singapore’s aviation industry is award-winning. You may already know that Singapore is home to Changi Airport, one of Southeast Asia’s largest transportation hubs, and the World’s Best Airport for the sixth consecutive year. And flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, is 2018’s World’s Best Airlines, along with a string of titles including Best First Class and Best Airline in Asia. The aviation industry is a significant contributor to the Singapore economy, and the country continues to strive in becoming the region’s leading aviation hub.
| National Aviation Authority | Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) |
| No. of Commercial Airlines | 4 |
| National Carrier | Singapore Airlines |
| Fleet Size | 119 (64 destinations) |
Thailand
Another tourist hotspot on this list is Thailand, the land of great food, endless shopping and magnificent natural wonders. The country is heavily dependent upon exports, and ranks 26th in the world, in terms of nominal GDP (IMF, 2018). It is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, behind Indonesia.
In 2017, a total of 60,860,704 passengers moved through Thailand’s busiest airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airport, unofficially known as Bangkok Airport, is the 11th busiest airport in Asia and is the world’s 4th largest single-building airport terminal. It also boasts the world’s tallest free-standing control tower. The national flag carrier, Thai Airways is one of the five founding members of the world’s second largest global airline alliance, Star Alliance.
| National Aviation Authority | Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) |
| No. of Commercial Airlines | 12 |
| National Carrier | Thai Airways International |
| Fleet Size | 81 (91 destinations) |
Vietnam
Vietnam sits at number 15 on the list of the world’s most populous countries. It is bordered by China, Laos, and Cambodia. Across bodies of water are Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Vietnam’s location has made it a strategic location for trade, as well as transportation.
According to IATA, Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, with an average growth rate of over 17% in the last decade. IATA predicts that Vietnam will become the 3rd fastest-growing market for freight and international passengers, after China and the United Arab Emirates. Similarly, the domestic market will also see high growth rates, becoming the 2nd fastest-growing domestic market, behind China. The Vietnamese aviation industry aims to operate 28 airports by 2030, and has received a significant wave of private investment into aviation infrastructure.
| National Aviation Authority | Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) |
| No. of Commercial Airlines | 5 |
| National Carrier | Vietnam Airlines |
| Fleet Size | 87 (64 destinations) |
The Dviation Group strives to drive the ASEAN region to the forefront of the global aviation industry. Discover more about their goals at www.dviation.com, and find out how you can be part of this vision!