Flight operations at Tada‑U International Airport, the gateway to Myanmar’s second‑largest city, were halted on September 11 after a drone attack attributed to the People’s Defence Force, a pro‑democracy militia fighting the military junta.
Airline response and flight cancellations
Myanmar Airways International posted on its official Facebook page that all international flights to and from the airport are temporarily suspended. The carrier also said domestic flights are being rerouted to a nearby airport for “operational reasons.” An airline official in Bangkok confirmed that flights scheduled for September 11 and 12 have been cancelled because the airport is closed, though the spokesperson’s name was not disclosed.
Details of the attack
State‑run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar reported that security forces thwarted an assault by the People’s Defence Force, which launched six first‑person‑view suicide drones at the airport. According to the paper, the attack briefly disrupted some domestic flights but caused no casualties, vehicle damage, or runway damage. Local media added that resistance forces were reportedly targeting military jet fighters stationed at the field.
Broader context
The incident comes amid Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which began after the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The conflict has expanded into a nationwide resistance movement involving ethnic armed groups and pro‑democracy militias. In April, Min Aung Hlaing, the former junta chief, was elected president by a military‑backed parliament, solidifying the army’s grip on power.
Impact on travelers
Passengers with tickets to or from Mandalay are advised to check with their airlines for updates and to arrange alternative travel plans. The airline indicated that domestic flights will continue from the alternate airport while the situation at Tada‑U is assessed.
Verification status
Reuters was unable to independently verify the details of the attack at the time of reporting.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
