MAF’s Mission

Serving together to bring help, hope and healing through aviation.

Assessment of needs

In 2013, MAF began researching the needs of isolated communities in Chin State. A comprehensive airstrip survey was completed during 2014, investigating the availability of existing airstrips and the feasibility of building new ones. It was concluded that an MAF service to remote areas would have significant impact for communities. MAF registered as a Myanmar Company later that year.

In 2017, MAF gained official approval to move ahead with planning construction of an airstrip at Lailenpi.

Raising awareness of MAF within Myanmar 2018
Raising awareness of MAF within Myanmar 2018

In February 2018 MAF held a media event to raise awareness within Myanmar of the Lailenpi Airport Project. Design of the airstrip was finalised later that year.

Ground-breaking ceremony

The official ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction of the Lailenpi airstrip took place on 4th May 2019.

Participants at the ground-breaking ceremony at Lailenpi, 2019
Participants at the ground-breaking ceremony at Lailenpi, 2019
This airstrip will be incredibly beneficial for the people of this region, especially the Mara. I am very thankful for that. In the past, when there was a medical emergency it took about 10 days to arrive at the big hospitals. Now it will only be about 90 minutes from Lailenpi to Yangon, or even less if we go to Mandalay.
—
Rev Haidau, Lailenpi Community Elder

Honouring Captain Tin Maung Aye

In September 2019 Captain Tin Maung Aye, MAF's Chief Operations Officer in Myanmar, died following a chronic illness. His outstanding contribution to the development of the  MAF programme in Myanmar and Lailenpi airstrip will endure.

Captain Tin Maung Aye, MAF's Chief Operating Officer in Myanmar

Captain Tin, a gentleman of compassion towards those most in need, was well-respected in the aviation industry and beyond. He is deeply missed by us as a dear friend and professional colleague.

The value of rural aviation

Towards the end of 2019, MAF was invited to lead a Flight Operations Seminar for government officials from the Department of Civil Aviation and others.

The seminar demonstrated the value of rural aviation within the country and gave insight into how MAF manages its flight operations. 

Rural Aviation Workshop
The Rural Aviation Workshop