MAI - Myanmar Airways International (8M, Yangon) is planning to add three narrowbodies in 2019 and is eyeing two 170-seat aircraft and one 200-seater, CAPA has reported.

The carrier currently operates three active A319-100s whose leases from AerCap, Calliope, and Global Finance & Leasing are due to expire between mid-2019 and early 2020. They are 18.1 years old on average. It also has one A320-200, although the aircraft has been stored at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta since December 4, 2018, RadarBox24 ADS-B data shows.

MAI is evaluating both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The carrier is leaning towards second-hand A320s and A321s or B737-800s and B737-900s but is also considering ordering A320-200neo and A321-200neo or B737-8 and B737-9 units. Going forward, MAI will aim to add further aircraft after the potential phase-out of the A319s in 2020.

Meanwhile, MAI's sister domestic airline Air KBZ (Yangon) is planning to add four ATR72-600s in 2019, with two deliveries forecasted in April and the other two in June or July. The carrier plans to consolidate its turboprop fleet around the -600s, of which it already has five. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, it also operates three -500s, of which only one is currently reportedly active and will be retired in 2019.

Air KBZ has not yet secured the additional -600s it plans to add in 2019.

On the other hand, the flag carrier Myanmar National Airlines (UB, Yangon) has cut back on its fleet renewal plans. The airline reduced its commitments to B737-800s dry-leased from GECAS from six to four units, all of which have already been delivered. MNA plans to take four B737 MAX 8s, whose deliveries are set to commence in November 2019.