Oldest Airlines in Southeast Asia

Air travel is a popular mode of transportation in Southeast Asia, offering both domestic and international routes. The history of aviation in the region is intriguing, particularly when examining the origins of each country's airlines. Here’s a look at 11 of the oldest airlines in Southeast Asia, from the oldest to the youngest:

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, founded by Andres Soriano, has been soaring the skies for nearly eight decades, currently marking 83 years of operation. It initially began as the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company in 1939 and was rebranded to Philippine Airlines in 1941. The airline made its first flight on March 15, 1941.

Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines started its first commercial flight in 1947. Originally named Malayan Airways Limited, it underwent several name changes due to various historical events. In 1963, it became Malaysian Airways with the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, later changing to Malaysia Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966, and finally to Malaysian Airline System (MAS) in 1972.

Garuda Indonesia

Established in 1949, Garuda Indonesia became a state-owned company in 1950. Initially known as Garuda Indonesian Airways (GIA), it started with 38 aircraft, including 22 DC-3s, 8 Catalinas, and 8 Convair 240s. Today, the Garuda Indonesia Group operates a fleet of 210 aircraft.

Myanmar Airways

Myanmar Airways, founded in 1948, is one of the oldest airlines in Asia, now operating for 76 years. Initially named Union of Burma Airways (UBA), it was renamed Myanmar Airways in 1989, retaining its iconic UB airline code.

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines was established in 1956, marking the beginning of Vietnam's aviation industry. It initially operated with five propeller planes: the Il 14, AN 2, and Aero 45, on its first domestic route. In 1993, it became the national flag carrier, officially known as Vietnam Airlines.

Thai Airways

Established in 1960, Thai Airways started as a joint venture between the domestic Thai Airways Company (TAC) and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). It has since grown significantly, facilitating domestic, regional, and intercontinental flights from its hub in Bangkok.

Singapore Airlines

In 1972, Malaysia Singapore Airlines split into two separate entities, one of which became Singapore Airlines. The airline's first Airbus A300 Superbus flew to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta on February 1, 1981. In mid-October 2017, Singapore Airlines received the world's first Airbus A380, commencing its first flight from Singapore to Sydney on October 25, 2017.

Royal Brunei Airlines

Founded in 1974, Royal Brunei Airlines is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei Darussalam. It launched its first flight in 1975, flying from Bandar Seri Begawan to Singapore. In 2018, the airline received a four-star rating, gaining international recognition.

Lao Airlines

Lao Airlines, the national carrier of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, was established in 1976 from the merger of Royal Air Lao and Lao Airlines. Initially, it operated Douglas DC-3 and DCS-4 aircraft for domestic and international routes, with helicopters serving remote areas in Laos.

Cambodia Angkor Air

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Angkor Air operates under the slogan "Proudly Serving the Kingdom." It has a fleet of five aircraft, including Airbus A320, Airbus A321, and ATR 72, serving both domestic and international routes.

Conclusion

The history of aviation in Southeast Asia is rich and varied, with each airline contributing to the region's connectivity and growth in international travel. From the oldest, Philippine Airlines, to the youngest, Cambodia Angkor Air, these airlines have played a significant role in shaping the aviation landscape of Southeast Asia.