Thai Airways International will launch a non-stop thrice-weekly service on the Phuket-Hong Kong route.
The service will start on 25 October using Airbus A330-300s, says Thai.
Cathay subsidiary Dragonair is the only other carrier operating on the Phuket-Hong Kong route, according to Innovata. It operates nine-times weekly services with A320-family aircraft.
Bron: Flightglobal
Theo
Published: 16/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Business
Thai Airways International will resume its Phuket-Hong Kong service later this month.
Industry observers say the move is to combat the budget carrier Thai AirAsia’s impending launch of flights on the high-potential route.
The flag carrier on Oct 25 will restart the non-stop flights, which were suspended soon after People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters blockaded Bangkok’s two airports late last year.
Thai AirAsia plans to start daily flights on the route from Nov 15 as part of its strategy to turn Phuket into its second hub. The low-cost carrier plans to operate a series of new non-stop international services from the resort island.
Pruet Boobphakam, executive vice-president for commercial sales at THAI, told the Bangkok Post the two airlines will be competing in different market segments: budget-conscious travellers and those requiring full services.
“Our re-launch is largely in response to market demand,” he said, though he acknowledged that there would be some price competition between the two carriers as passengers will have a greater choice.
THAI will offer three flights a week on the Phuket-hong Kong route: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
The airline said bookings for the route were continuing into the new year due to the arrival of the high season.
Aside from the Phuket-Hong Kong route, Thai AirAsia will launch non-stop Phuket-Jakarta flights on Nov 15, followed by services to to Chiang Mai, Medan and Ho Chi Minh City in December.
Plans to provide non-stop flights from Phuket to several Asian cities, such as Bali, Surabaya, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Manila, are on Thai AirAsia’s horizon over the next 18 months.
*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *
THAI launches direct Phuket - Hong Kong flights
**The launch ceremony at Phuket International Airport on Sunday.
**
PHUKET CITY: With the high season for tourism almost here, Thai Airways International (THAI) has begun direct flights between Phuket and Hong Kong three times weekly.
An Airbus 330-300 leaves Phuket at 1:15pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Return flights leave Hong Kong at 8am on the same days.
Forty-two seats are reserved for passengers in business class, with the remainder in economy.
The service began on Sunday.
THAI sales office general manager for Phuket Chantath Srininthra said the response has been positive, with seats already booked well into the new year.
“We hope this service will meet customer needs and generate income for the company,” he said.
Phuket Vice Governor Worapoj Ratthasima was at Phuket International Airport for the inaugural flight.
Thai AirAsia is also preparing to launch direct flights between the same cities ‘soon’ as part of its plan to establish Phuket as a second regional air hub for Thailand, Phuket Tourist Association Vice President Panu Maswongsa told the Gazette.
Thai AirAsia also plans to open direct flight service between Phuket and Chiang Mai starting in December.
Bron: Phuket Gazette
Theo