BANGKOK, 1 November 2010 – Happy Air expands services from a base in Nakhon Ratchasima in the hope it can convince Northeast residents to fly direct to domestic destinations rather than flying via Bangkok.
On cost merits alone, its fares are not cheaper than those quoted by other airlines operating flights out of Bangkok, but when the connecting times and costs to get to Bangkok to take advantage of cheaper fares are taken into account Happy Air makes a valid sales pitch on a couple of the routes.
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Happy-Air.jpgHowever, there are serious constraints for the airline. Nakhon Ratchasima Airport has no other airline customers and earlier attempts to set up bases or even serve the city out of Bangkok failed miserably.
However, Happy Air’s enthusiasm has revitalised talk of making it a regional hub with services not only to Bangkok, but also to other provincial destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin. Even Luang Prabang in Laos is in the schedule as early as 15 November with three weekly services.
Understandably, the travel industry is skeptical having seen numerous start-up airlines fail to gain traction in what is now a very difficult and competitive domestic airline market.
Adding to the challenge is the airline decision not to embrace the low-cost airline model. On board, the carrier serves sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks all included in the fare. It uses a Saab 340 aircraft with 33 seats.
Another drawback on routes to Phuket and Chiang Mai is the lack of daily frequencies. Travellers, resident in Nakhon Ratchasima, will prefer to transfer to Bangkok by bus to connect with airline services to these destinations as there are up to 10 daily flights out of the capital.
Looking at the airline’s first route, Nakhon Ratchasima-Bangkok, no airline in the past could turn a profit. The distance is too short at 259 km and there are just too many bus services leaving for the capital (every 30 minutes, around-the-clock) to make it worthwhile to take a taxi to the province’s airport. By the time the passenger boards the aircraft he would be a good 100 km on the way to Bangkok by bus.
Happy Air quotes all-in one-way fare at Bt950 for the 40-minute flight. Whereas, the popular air-conditioned bus service covers the trip in three and a half hours at Bt198 one-way. (Average speed 72 kmph).
Happy Air operates the route five times a week and offers an airport transfer at Bt150 a sector.
On the Nakhon Ratchasima-Chiang Mai route the airline flies three weekly services with a fare of Bt5,800 roundtrip, which is Bt855 higher than Thai Airways International, if you can grab its Hot Deal at Bt4,945. The lowest fares from other airlines operating out of Suvarnabhumi are: Bt3,430, Bangkok Airways and Bt3,332, Thai AirAsia (regular fare) and from Don Mueang, Bt3,380, Nok Air and Bt3,100, Orient Thai.
Passengers from Nakhon Ratchasima might opt to travel from Don Mueang, because it is 50km closer than Suvarnabhumi and if they take the bus, passengers save on the taxi fare as the bus will make a stop outside the airport. When using Suvarnabhumi, a passenger will pay around Bt1,000 for bus and taxi fares roundtrip. The trip will take at least four and a half hours to reach Bangkok’s airport.
From Nakhon Ratchasima to Phuket, the fare is Bt7,400 roundtrip. This compares with TG at Bt6,025 a roundtrip online fare out of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
For those who are cost-conscious the lowest fares from other airlines ex-Bangkok are: Bt3,100, Orient Thai; Bt3,380, Nok Air; Bt3,510, Bangkok Airways; Bt3,463, Thai AirAsia.
Happy Air’s Hua Hin service at Bt3,400 roundtrip is acceptable as no schedule airline serves the destination, but the question still remains: Just how many Northeast residents are booking Hua Hin stays?
Has Happy done its homework on these routes? Travel industry experts say it all sounds very risky.
Again the Luang Prabang fare is attractive at Bt9,000 roundtrip, though flights only operate three times a week. Lao Airlines, operating daily ex-Bangkok, with its lowest fare at Bt10,875, while Bangkok Airways flies twice daily with a fare of Bt11,455
Until 31 December, passengers can travel to Luang Prabang for Bt4,500 as Happy Air is offering fares at 50% off for the first five passengers on each flight. This fare is a good deal that might entice some Bangkok residents to go to Nakhon Ratchasima by bus to connect with this service.
Happy Air started its career as a Phuket-based airline with the objective of serving the southern region as well as destinations in Malaysia and Indonesia.
It still bases an aircraft there and flies to Hat Yai, Ranong, Medan and Langawi. Apart from Nakhon Ratchasima, it also offers a service between Bangkok and Nan and between Bangkok and Loei.
Contact 044 252994, 044 252992 or visit www.happyair.co.th
Bron:TTRweekly
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