Myanmar’s military authorities have reopened passenger flights at Myitkyina Airport in Kachin State after a 40-day suspension, state media reported. The move signals efforts to restore transport links in a conflict-affected region.

Passenger services resumed following a temporary halt, with officials framing the reopening as part of broader efforts to improve connectivity and facilitate travel, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar.

The report did not specify the reasons for the suspension, however, a passenger plane had been struck by a suicide drone at the airport on 21 February. The airport was declared temporarily closed following the incident.

The resumption of flights at the northern airport comes amid ongoing instability in parts of Kachin State. Clashes there between the military and ethnic armed groups have persisted since the 2021 coup.

Myitkyina is a key transport hub in northern Myanmar, linking the state capital with major cities including Yangon and Mandalay. Travel and logistics were disrupted by the closure, affecting a transportation system already facing constrained by conflict and limited infrastructure.

Authorities said the reopening would support passenger movement and contribute to regional development, although no details were provided on flight frequency or capacity.

The move is part of a broader pattern of efforts by the military junta to maintain or restore transport and administrative functions in areas affected by unrest, even as fighting continues in several parts of the country.

Air travel in Myanmar has faced periodic disruptions since the coup, driven by a combination of security concerns, operational constraints, and declining demand amid the country’s economic downturn.

While state media has presented the reopening as a sign of stabilisation, analysts note that transport infrastructure in conflict-affected regions remains vulnerable to disruption, with access often fluctuating with local security conditions.

The reopening of Myitkyina Airport suggests a tentative effort to re-establish normal transport services, though the sustainability of such operations remains uncertain.