Another factor is the one-hour road journey to the airport using transfer buses that were not comfortable according to guests who attended the ceremony. In contrast the old airport is a short 20-minute drive from the city. He pointed to Mandalay s geographical location in the heart of the country and on the flight paths between Asia and Europe. Previously there was demand from the German market for charter flights to Yangon, but its facilities at the airport were limited. A visa on arrival at Mandalay airport would help sweeten the pill for airlines.
Most tour operators admit that it is a very remote possibility.
In the meantime visitors can apply for what is called a pre-arranged visa through authorised travel agents who fill out all the forms and process the visa in advance. The visitor is then issued with the visa on arrival after completing a second set of forms at the immigration office. If a traveller wishes to enter the country at Mandalay and exit at Yangon a special visa is needed. Until an airline is willing to fly the route to Mandalay, Yangon remains the sole gateway.