Yangon, Myanmar: Due to the massive fog that swept over Yangon in the morning of February 23rd; there were long hour flight delays. The massive fog and low visibility resulted in about 20 flights both local and international to be stranded. Travelers were jam-packed inside the Yangon International airport. “This morning we had huge fog and light snows here, and we had no other option other than delaying all scheduled flights. There were minimum 3 hours delay.” told by one of the duty officers of Yangon International air port at about noon on February 23rd.
Among the delayed flights was the one going to Myitkyina (northern part of Myanmar) through Mandalay (middle part of Myanmar) and Bamaw (one of the cities in Myitkyna) on which National League for Democracy Leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would be aboard. Her Myitkyina trip for soliciting votes was scheduled to start at about10ambut due to the delay, the flight carrying Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party could only take off at about9:45 amand reached their destination at11:53 am.
Most of the flights faced 3 hours delay and some local flights got 5 hours massive delay. “Actually the departure time is 10:45 ambut as you see, I am still waiting at the air port.” a frustrated traveler vented out at about 1:30 pmin Yangon International air port. Consequences of the delay affected some other local airports too. One of the travelers from local airlines, Asia Wing, told the enquiring reporter “My trip was scheduled to depart at 12:40 PMbut it has been announced to take off at 3 PM. So I have got to wait here.” Her trip was from Mandalayto Myitkyina from Mandalay International airport.
As National League for Democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was planned to arrive Myitkyina at about 9, people were gathering in front of the airport as usual. Reporting journalist from Yangon Press International said there were about 300 people and some university students were among the crowd, most of which had to be dispersed due to the holdup of the flights. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived Myitkyina at noon time and headed to Na Ma Tee (one of the cities in Myitkyina) surrounded by 30 or 40 cars and tens of motor cycles reported by Yangon Press International.
