Following a powerful earthquake on March 28, both Naypyidaw Airport and Mandalay’s Tada-U Airport have suffered extensive damage, leading to their indefinite temporary closure. At Naypyidaw Airport, the runway experienced severe cracking and breakage, while the air traffic control tower collapsed, resulting in five fatalities. Additionally, significant damage was reported to airport facilities and infrastructure throughout the complex.
At Mandalay’s Tada-U Airport, substantial damage to both internal facilities and runways has forced its closure, with one Boeing aircraft and one jet aircraft currently stranded at the airport. According to sources, repair work at both airports is expected to take a minimum of three months, with the possibility of extended closure periods if damage assessment reveals more extensive repairs are needed.
The simultaneous closure of these two major airports will significantly impact regional air transportation, particularly affecting travel between Naypyidaw and Mandalay regions. Currently, Yangon International Airport remains operational with no reported damage. The closures represent a major disruption to Myanmar’s domestic air travel network, with authorities yet to provide a definitive timeline for when normal operations might resume at either facility.
