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SNW · medium airport

Thandwe Airport

Thandwe, Myanmar

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SNWmedium airport

Thandwe Airport

Thandwe, Myanmar
Explore Thandwe city guide Navigate to this airport
2
Routes out
2
Destinations
VYTD
ICAO
20 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Gateway to Myanmar's scenic Thandwe coastal region.

Location
Thandwe, Myanmar
Thandwe Airport (IATA: SNW, ICAO: VYTD) is a domestic airport located near Thandwe, a coastal town in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. It primarily serves travelers heading to the Ngapali Beach area, one of Myanmar's most popular seaside resort destinations. The airport handles mainly domestic flights connecting Thandwe to Yangon and other Myanmar cities. Passenger traffic is seasonal, peaking during the cooler dry season when tourist activity at Ngapali Beach is at its highest. The facility is modest in size and infrastructure, reflecting the small scale of the local tourism and commercial economy, but it plays a vital role in linking the remote coastal region to Myanmar's broader air transport network.
Terminals
Thandwe Airport has a single small terminal building handling domestic arrivals and departures.
Getting to & from
Taxis and guesthouses transfers are the primary means of ground transport between the airport and Ngapali Beach, located approximately 3 kilometers away.
Airlines here
Myanmar Airways International and Air KBZ have operated services to Thandwe, connecting it primarily to Yangon.
Notable facts
  • ›Thandwe Airport is the main air access point for Ngapali Beach, Myanmar's premier beach resort.
  • ›The airport serves primarily domestic routes, with no scheduled international services.
  • ›Flight frequency increases significantly during the October–April tourist high season.
  • ›Thandwe is located in Rakhine State on Myanmar's western coast along the Bay of Bengal.
  • ›The airport's runway and facilities are limited, accommodating only smaller regional aircraft.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to Ngapali Beach where the Arakan coast meets the sky

Thandwe Airport, also known as Sandoway Airport, serves the coastal town of Thandwe in Myanmar's Rakhine State, primarily acting as the aerial gateway to the famous Ngapali Beach resort area. Operated by the Department of Civil Aviation of Myanmar, the airport has modest facilities suited to its role as a seasonal leisure destination. It connects beach travellers to Yangon and Mandalay, making it an essential link for tourism along Myanmar's Bay of Bengal coastline.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single small terminal building handling all domestic arrivals and departures with basic passenger amenities.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi and private car hire from the terminal forecourt to Ngapali Beach hotels
  • Hotel shuttle services arranged by most Ngapali resort properties
  • Motorcycle taxi (motorbike) for solo travellers heading to nearby areas
  • Tuk-tuk and trishaw rides available for short local distances
Nearby Hotels
  • Amata Resort & Spa Ngapali
  • Sandoway Resort
  • Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa
  • Amazing Ngapali Hotel
  • Silver Beach Hotel Ngapali
Dining

The airport terminal offers very limited food and beverage options, so travellers should plan to eat at their hotels or local restaurants in Ngapali village before departure. The Ngapali Beach area itself has a growing selection of seafood restaurants and beach-side eateries serving fresh catch and traditional Rakhine cuisine. Thandwe town, a short drive from the airport, has basic teashops and local food stalls for budget-conscious visitors.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrange hotel transfers in advance as taxis at the airport can be scarce during peak tourist season.
  • Carry sufficient Myanmar kyat as ATMs are limited in the Thandwe and Ngapali area.
  • Flights to and from Thandwe can be subject to seasonal schedule changes; confirm bookings close to departure.
  • The airport is small and check-in closes early, so arrive at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (2 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Routes

SNW → RGN6T · ATR
SNW → AKY6T · ATR
Hotels near SNW

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Thandwe Airport is an airport serving Thandwe, a town in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The IATA code is based on the town's name during British colonial rule, Sandoway. On 23 June 2024, the Arakan Army captured the airport.

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