Myanmar's international airline · belly capacity on nonstop Guangzhou and Changsha to Yangon flights
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Yangon, with Yangon International Airport as its main hub. It operates about 8 narrowbody passenger aircraft on Guangzhou and Changsha to Yangon services, with belly capacity carrying small consignments from China to Myanmar. The airline operates no freighters and no intercontinental long-haul routes.
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) was founded in August 1993 as Myanmar's international airline, headquartered in Yangon. It was originally a joint venture between Myanma Airways and Singapore's Highsonic Enterprises and received technical support from Royal Brunei Airlines. In 2019 MAI completed a strategic restructuring and business integration with sister airline Mingalar, formerly Air KBZ.
The airline's IATA two-letter code is 8M, its ICAO three-letter code is MMA and its radio call sign is MYANMAR. The official website is maiair.com. Yangon International Airport (RGN) is the main hub and Mandalay International Airport (MDL) the secondary hub. It operates about 8 narrowbody passenger aircraft, carries about 1.15 million passengers a year and serves about 35 domestic and international points.
MAI positions itself as a full-service regional airline, operating domestic Myanmar and regional Southeast Asian international routes, with no long-haul intercontinental and no freighter service. International points include Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Changsha and Vientiane. MAI is Myanmar's leading private international airline, held by local investors and strategic shareholders. Its headquarters in Yangon, the country's largest city, sits next to Yangon International Airport, which helps flight scheduling and day-to-day operations. It is one of the main international carriers in Myanmar's private aviation market and serves the main passenger and cargo points between Yangon and major cities in Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
MAI and Myanmar National Airlines (UB) are Myanmar's two main international airlines. UB is the state flag carrier and MAI a private international airline, and the two compete and complement each other in domestic and international markets. Chinese shippers can choose the carrier that fits their destination and rate.
For Chinese shippers, MAI operates nonstop Guangzhou to Yangon and Changsha to Yangon passenger services, with belly capacity carrying small consignments from China to Myanmar. Myanmar's imports are mainly electromechanical products, textiles and apparel, consumer goods and building materials.
Myanmar lies in western Southeast Asia on the Indochina peninsula, with the Andaman Sea to the southwest, Bangladesh and India to the northwest, China to the northeast and Laos and Thailand to the southeast. The China-Myanmar border runs about 2,187 km, and border trade moves mainly through the Ruili to Muse land crossing in Yunnan.
Yangon is Myanmar's largest city and former capital, and Yangon International Airport is the country's largest air hub. Mandalay is the second city, in central Myanmar, a hub for domestic air and road transport and the centre of the northern jade and gemstone trade. MAI has operating bases at both airports.
After the political changes of 2021, international air transport was affected. Some foreign airlines suspended Myanmar routes and the international networks of Myanmar carriers contracted. MAI is currently focused on restoring and expanding regional Southeast Asian routes, with two nonstop services to China, Guangzhou and Changsha.
MAI currently operates two nonstop China to Myanmar passenger routes: Guangzhou to Yangon and Changsha to Yangon.
MAI operates a nonstop service from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Yangon International Airport (RGN) under flight 8M712, with a flight time of about 3 hours 5 minutes. It is a major passenger channel from Guangzhou to Myanmar, and the belly hold can carry small consignments.
On 10 February 2026 Changsha Huanghua Airport opened a nonstop Changsha to Yangon service operated by MAI, the only nonstop passenger route from central China to Yangon. It gives exporters in central China a direct air channel to Myanmar.
Beyond these two nonstop routes MAI operates no other China points. Cargo from Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming and other Chinese cities to Yangon must transit via Kunming or Guangzhou, or fly nonstop with another carrier such as China Eastern Airlines or Hainan Airlines.
The Guangzhou to Yangon route is a key air channel from South China to Myanmar. Guangzhou Baiyun is southern China's largest international air hub, so South China exporters can consolidate locally and load directly. The Changsha to Yangon route gives exporters in central China (Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and others) a direct channel to Myanmar without detouring through Guangzhou or Kunming. Belly space on the Guangzhou to Yangon route is limited, so Chinese exporters should book early. For regular shippers we can conclude an annual cargo agreement with MAI to lock space and preferential rates.
MAI flies Guangzhou to Yangon with narrowbody passenger aircraft carrying about 3 to 4 tons of belly payload. For small, time-critical consignments the MAI belly is a convenient option from China to Myanmar. For bulk cargo, China-Myanmar border road haulage (Ruili to Muse) or sea freight to Yangon port is recommended.
All of MAI's cargo capability comes from passenger belly holds; the airline operates no freighters. A narrowbody belly has limited payload and suits small, time-critical shipments. For bulk construction materials and commodities, Chinese exporters usually choose China-Myanmar border road haulage or sea freight to Yangon port.
The fleet is mainly Boeing 737 narrowbody passenger aircraft on domestic and regional Southeast Asian routes. MAI shares part of its fleet and route resources with sister airline Mingalar, formerly Air KBZ.
The airline operates about 8 narrowbody passenger aircraft on domestic Myanmar and regional Southeast Asian routes, with about 3 to 4 tons of belly payload, suited to small consignments.
MAI operates no freighters. Bulk construction cargo must reach Yangon on another carrier's freighter or passenger belly, or by China-Myanmar road haulage.
The airline carries about 1.15 million passengers a year and serves about 35 domestic and international points.
MAI shares part of its fleet and route resources with Mingalar, formerly Air KBZ, after the strategic restructuring and business integration completed in 2019.
MAI's international network radiates from Myanmar into Southeast Asia. Toward China it operates nonstop Guangzhou and Changsha to Yangon services, then distributes from Yangon to domestic Myanmar and regional Southeast Asian points.
The map takes Guangzhou and Changsha as China origins, shows MAI's nonstop China to Yangon routes as solid gold lines, and thinner dark lines for regional distribution from Yangon to Southeast Asian and domestic Myanmar points. The network is sparse overall, consistent with MAI's current regional positioning.
Besides MAI, China Eastern Airlines operates a nonstop Kunming to Yangon service and Hainan Airlines a Beijing to Yangon service. Chinese shippers can pick the nearest nonstop gateway: Guangzhou for South China, Changsha for central China, Kunming for the southwest.
China and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1950 and ties have long been friendly. China is Myanmar's largest trading partner and source of investment. The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative, linking Kunming with Yangon and the Kyaukphyu deep-water port.
Border trade moves mainly through the Ruili to Muse land crossing in Yunnan, and large volumes of Chinese exports enter Myanmar by road via Ruili. Air freight is mainly for time-critical, high-value and small consignments such as electronics, pharmaceutical samples, urgent spare parts and cross-border e-commerce parcels.
Yangon port is Myanmar's largest deep-water port; bulk Chinese exports can move by sea to Yangon and be distributed around the country by road. Air and sea complement each other, and exporters can choose according to transit time and cost.
The Kyaukphyu deep-water port project is an important part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Located in Rakhine State, once complete it will be Myanmar's largest deep-water port and will shorten the sea distance between southwest China and the Indian Ocean.
After the political changes of 2021 some Western countries imposed sanctions on Myanmar and international supply chains faced challenges. China maintains normal trade with Myanmar, and Chinese exporters can continue trading through the nonstop Guangzhou and Changsha to Yangon routes.
The China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines are an important part of southwest China's energy import corridor, running from Kyaukphyu deep-water port through Kunming in Yunnan into China. The project has driven flows of engineering equipment and materials between the two countries, with some time-critical equipment spares flown to Yangon.
Before 2021 tourism was an important source of foreign exchange for Myanmar, with the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Bagan temples, the Mandalay Palace and Inle Lake as the main destinations. As international routes recover, Chinese tourist and business travel is supporting belly cargo volumes.
China is one of Myanmar's largest trading partners. Chinese exports to Myanmar concentrate in the following categories.
Myanmar's infrastructure needs are strong, and Chinese electromechanical equipment, generators, building materials, hardware tools and lighting enter the market via nonstop Guangzhou or Changsha to Yangon services. China-Myanmar border trade is mainly by road, with air freight reserved for time-critical, high-value cargo. Power station, bridge and road projects in Myanmar are driving demand for Chinese construction machinery and building materials, with some urgent spares flown to Yangon.
Chinese textiles and apparel, footwear, plastics, phone accessories and household goods hold a steady share of the Yangon market. Small e-commerce consignments can move quickly to Yangon in the MAI belly. Large shopping malls have opened in Yangon in recent years, and demand for Chinese fast fashion and consumer goods keeps growing.
Myanmar's mobile market has developed in recent years, and Chinese smartphones, telecom equipment accessories and consumer electronics fly nonstop from Guangzhou to Yangon for distribution around the country. Mobile internet users in Myanmar are growing quickly, Chinese phone brands hold a high share of the market, and consumer electronics are a leading category of Chinese exports to Myanmar.
Myanmar's exports to China include rice, pulses, cashews, rubber, jade and teak. Some high-value agricultural products and jade can move to China in the belly on the Yangon to Guangzhou return leg. Jade and gemstones are distinctive high-value exports from Myanmar to China.
South China export cargo can be handed over at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and flown nonstop to Yangon International Airport on MAI 8M712, with a flight time of about 3 hours 5 minutes.
Central China export cargo can be handed over at Changsha Huanghua Airport and flown nonstop to Yangon by MAI, the only nonstop passenger route from central China to Myanmar.
After arrival in Yangon, MAI domestic flights distribute cargo to Mandalay, Naypyidaw and other main cities in Myanmar.
Beyond MAI nonstop services, Chinese cargo can also reach Yangon via Kunming (China Eastern Airlines) or Bangkok (Thai Airways International). Each option has advantages, and we can recommend the best routing for the shipper's needs.
For bulk cargo, road haulage from Ruili in Yunnan to Muse is recommended, with air freight reserved for urgent spares and high-value cargo.
For very large volumes, sea freight to Yangon port followed by truck distribution around Myanmar is recommended. We can provide combined sea-air solutions.
Chinese shippers can book MAI's China to Yangon routes as follows.
Loading at a Chinese gateway, nonstop to Yangon with MAI, then distribution to domestic Myanmar cities. Suited to small, time-critical consignments and cross-border e-commerce parcels; for bulk cargo, China-Myanmar road haulage (Ruili to Muse) or sea freight to Yangon port is recommended.
Confirm cargo weight, dimensions and the final destination in Myanmar (Yangon/Mandalay/Naypyidaw), and choose Guangzhou or Changsha as the departure gateway.
Ask us to check belly space on 8M712 Guangzhou to Yangon or on the Changsha to Yangon service, and confirm schedule and rate.
Hand over and clear customs at Guangzhou or Changsha, fly nonstop to Yangon, then distribute to domestic Myanmar cities by MAI or truck.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) operates air freight on the China to Myanmar lane. For MAI's Guangzhou and Changsha to Yangon routes we provide the following services directly to Chinese shippers.
South China export cargo can be handed over at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and central China cargo at Changsha Huanghua Airport. We handle consolidation, export declaration and MAI belly space booking. For customers consolidating across regions we can arrange domestic trucks to bring cargo to Guangzhou Baiyun or Changsha Huanghua for joint loading.
We track the air waybill from departure in China throughout. On arrival in Yangon we help arrange clearance and domestic distribution in Myanmar, liaising with the consignee and last-mile delivery. We work with partner customs brokers and truck fleets in Yangon and can handle arrival clearance and truck distribution in Myanmar, covering the main cities from Yangon to Mandalay.
For bulk cargo we can combine China-Myanmar border road haulage (Ruili to Muse) with air freight to balance cost and transit time. Air suits time-critical, high-value cargo; road suits bulk cargo with looser deadlines.
We work with a partner customs broker network in Yangon and can help Chinese shippers with arrival clearance and domestic distribution in Myanmar.
Yes. MAI operates nonstop Guangzhou Baiyun to Yangon (8M712) and Changsha Huanghua to Yangon services. The Changsha route opened in February 2026 and is the only nonstop passenger route from central China to Yangon.
No. MAI operates no freighters; all cargo moves in passenger belly holds, mainly on Boeing 737 narrowbodies. Bulk cargo needs another carrier or China-Myanmar road haulage.
Flight 8M712, operated by MAI from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Yangon International Airport, with a flight time of about 3 hours 5 minutes and no intermediate stops.
It opened on 10 February 2026, operated by MAI nonstop from Changsha Huanghua Airport to Yangon International Airport, and is the only nonstop passenger route from central China to Yangon.
About 8 narrowbody passenger aircraft, carrying about 1.15 million passengers a year across about 35 domestic and international points. The fleet is mainly Boeing 737 series, sharing some resources with Mingalar.
Small, time-critical electromechanical products, textiles and apparel, household goods, telecom equipment accessories, consumer electronics and cross-border e-commerce parcels. For bulk construction cargo, China-Myanmar road haulage (Ruili to Muse) or sea freight to Yangon port is recommended.
Regional Southeast Asian points include Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Changsha and Vientiane. It does not operate long-haul European or intercontinental routes, nor Middle East or South Asian routes. Domestic points cover Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw and other main cities.
International routes from Myanmar have contracted since the political changes of 2021, and some foreign airlines suspended Myanmar services. MAI is currently focused on regional Southeast Asian routes. Confirm the latest schedule and operating status before booking to avoid disruption to delivery plans.
The information provided is for reference only and does not constitute a contract of carriage or a commercial commitment. Myanmar Airways International's schedules, fleet configuration and cargo capability may change with business decisions without notice; flight times are local, and actual schedules, payloads and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking. Operations by Myanmar Airways International are strongly affected by local political and policy conditions, so confirm the latest operating status before booking.
For details of air freight services from China to Myanmar, or for booking assistance, contact:
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Myanmar Airways International, MAI, 8M, MMA and related marks are registered or unregistered trademarks of Myanmar Airways International. They are used here for identification and explanation only and do not imply any agency, partnership or affiliation between the company publishing this material and MAI. Other airline names and trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.