Myanmar update

BANGKOK - Things are slowly getting back to normal in Myanmar, almost a week after it was hit by cyclone Nargis. International and domestic flights through Yangon International Airport have resumed earlier in the week. Public transport has also been coming back to life in the city with some trains operating. Waterway transport had resumed earlier on Sunday.

Over 22,000 have been confirmed dead but death toll estimates near 100,000.

Help from international governments, organizations and companies have been pouring in, although there are reports that the military government is still limiting foreign assistance.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is inviting members who operate tour programmes in Myanmar to share any information and updates on the cyclone’s impact on their operations and the tourism infrastructure there. PATA will then circulate the information.

"It is vital that we communicate to limit the number of unnecessary cancellations to areas unaffected by this cyclone; and do our best to encourage a return to normality," PATA president Peter de Jong said.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has said it will provide free transport from Japan of relief goods and aid personnel bound for Myanmar.

Even though JAL does not operate flights to Myanmar, relief goods could be transported to countries near Myanmar, like Thailand, using JAL’s international route network. JAL will also provide free air transport on its network for staff of Japan-based organizations, like the Japanese Red Cross, and other Japanese aid organizations that the airline has worked with in the past. The arrangements are applicable from May 9, 2008 to June 9, 2008 for all JAL operated international flights.