Pakhokku Airport (PKK)

Pakhokku Airport (IATA: PKK, ICAO: VYPU) is a regional airport located 11 kilometers north of Pakhokku town in Myanmar's Magway Division, serving as an aviation gateway to this historic Buddhist center along the Irrawaddy River. Currently not in regular operation, the facility maintains good runway conditions and terminal building infrastructure that could accommodate medium-sized aircraft up to 100 seats, such as the EMB-190 or Boeing 717. The Department of Civil Aviation has identified this airport for potential upgrade to international status due to its proximity to Bagan UNESCO World Heritage site, which would relieve restrictions on nearby Nyaung-U Airport.

The terminal building and control tower remain in good condition, though requiring minor repairs and cleaning for full operational readiness. The facility sits at 350 feet elevation with coordinates N21°24.32' / E95°6.68', positioned strategically in central Myanmar where it could serve as a humanitarian cargo hub during regional emergencies. Current infrastructure lacks jet fuel availability (Jet A-1), limiting operations to aircraft with alternative fuel requirements or requiring fuel delivery from other regional airports.

While scheduled passenger service remains suspended, the airport occasionally handles chartered flights for civilian and government VIP transport. The runway condition supports operations by regional aircraft, and the facility's central location within Myanmar makes it valuable for connecting interior regions to major population centers. Ground access via the 11-kilometer road to town center provides connections to Pakhokku's monastery district and river port facilities.

As part of Myanmar's network of 29 domestic airports managed by the Department of Civil Aviation, Pakhokku Airport represents potential aviation infrastructure that could support both religious tourism to local Buddhist sites and regional economic development. Any activation for humanitarian or commercial use requires approval from the Department of Civil Aviation in Yangon, reflecting the facility's standby status within Myanmar's aviation system.