Thailand’s airlines suffer steep passenger decline
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Thai Airways International (THAI) and other airlines based in the country have witnessed a sharp drop in passenger numbers, The Nation has reported. The outbreak of (A)H1N1 flu has hit country hard, with North Asian passenger traffic seeing an especially significant drop. THAI has reportedly suffered a 15-20% drop in passengers from China, Japan and South Korea, according to the airline’s Executive Chairman, Wallop Bhukkanasut.
“The outbreak of type-A (H1N1) influenza is threatening international travel and affecting THAI’s business directly,” Bhukkanasut was reported saying.
Other airlines have also seen passenger numbers decline. Bangkok Airways, the major operator of Bangkok-Koh Samui flights, has reported low bookings on that route even with the high season starting next month. It has lowered its passenger forecast this year to 2.6 million, due to the pandemic. Last year, it flew 2.5 million and had expected to serve 2.8 million this year. In the first 15 days of this month, passenger numbers were down 18.5% year on year, lowering the average load factor to 70%.
“We’re not sure whether we’ll show a profit this year. That all depends on second-half operations,” said ML Nandhika Varavarn, Vice President for Corporate Communications for Bangkok Airways.
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