Air Bagan Logo PNG
Air Bagan: Brand overview
In June 2004, entrepreneur U Htun Min and a team of local businessmen established Air Bagan in Yangon, Myanmar, marking the launch of the country’s first fully private airline aimed at the domestic tourism market.
Air Bagan started operations with four leased Fokker 50 turboprop aircraft capable of carrying 50 passengers each. The airline’s inaugural flight was on November 15, 2004, from Yangon to the ancient city of Bagan. It soon expanded services to include Mandalay, Ngapali, Heho, and Tachilek.
By 2005-2006, the airline had expanded its fleet with more Fokker 50 aircraft and initiated a rebranding campaign, ultimately serving over ten destinations. In 2007, Air Bagan upgraded to larger ATR 72 turboprops, increasing its passenger capacity.
In 2010, Air Bagan transported around 400,000 passengers annually across Myanmar and operated eight ATR 72 aircraft. The airline encountered challenges from 2011 to 2013 when Myanmar’s aviation market opened up to foreign competition, increasing the number of carriers and operational costs.
From 2014 to 2016, financial difficulties emerged due to high debt and increasing fuel prices, which led to the phasing out of the older Fokker 50 aircraft. In 2017, U Htun Min sold part of his share to Singaporean investors to help stabilize the company.
On August 14, 2018, aviation authorities revoked Air Bagan’s operating certificate due to safety concerns, forcing the airline to cease all operations. At its closure, Air Bagan had six ATR 72 aircraft and employed 400 staff.
After 14 years of operation, Air Bagan’s significant impact on Myanmar’s tourism industry ended. Following the closure, many of its employees found opportunities in other local airlines, though the status of its aircraft and other assets remained unclear.
Meaning and History
2004 – 2018
The lotus flower is often found in Myanmar’s culture and natural landscape, making it an understandable choice for the local airline’s logo. The Air Bagan symbol is not a fully bloomed flower but a bud just beginning to open. It symbolizes longevity, luck, wisdom, and purity. It signifies the brand’s aspiration for growth, new achievements, and continuous improvement. The lotus is depicted abstractly: white stripes forming a pattern inside a turquoise quadrangle. Next to it is the corresponding turquoise inscription “Air Bagan.”
The choice of a turquoise color scheme implies calmness and reliability – qualities inherent to the airline. An abstract lotus image allows a modern interpretation of the traditional symbol, appealing to local and international audiences. The choice of a bud rather than a fully bloomed flower suggests that the airline recognizes its potential and still has room to grow.
FAQ
Is Air Bagan still operating?
Air Bagan is no longer operating. It was a well-known airline in Myanmar but faced many stops in operation and financial issues. In August 2015, the airline stopped all flights, and Asian Wings, another airline owned by the same company, took over its operations. This change did not help Air Bagan recover. In August 2018, the airline ended its operations and returned its license to the aviation authorities. This ended Air Bagan’s time in the aviation industry.
