A new private airline -- Shwe Myanmar Airways will operate its maiden flight in Myanmar in January 2013, aiming at facilitating travelers with cheaper air fares, local media reported Thursday.

With 180-seated A-320 Air Buses, Shwe Myanmar Airways will operate not only domestic but also international flights, the official daily New Light of Myanmar said.

The first aircraft for the airline will arrive here in December 2012 while the second one in February 2013.

In addition to the 64-year-old state-operated domestic Myanma Airways (MA), there are five other private-run domestic airlines in Myanmar, namely Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways, Air Bagan, Asian Wings and Air Kanbawza.

Myanmar's national flag carrier, the Myanmar Airways International (MAI), will also launch direct flight between Yangon and Hong Kong before the end of this year.

Five foreign airlines launched their maiden flights to Yangon one after another in September and October. They are Korean Airlines from South Korea, Qatar Airlines from the Middle East, EVA Airlines from Chinese Taipei and All Nippon Airways from Japan and Singapore Airline from Singapore.

On Wednesday, Germany based Condor Airlines became the first European airline that launched direct flight to Yangon.

Meanwhile, more airlines are prepared to fly Myanmar as a follow-up, including Hong Kong-based Dragon Air and Trans Asia Airways, sources said.

The Dragon Air will start its direct flight between Hong Kong and Yangon on January 9, 2013 on a basis of four flights a week using Airbus A321 jets.