AirAsia announces India-Thailand services
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AirAsia announced last week plans to open new routes between India and Bangkok from 1 December. Speaking to media representatives in Kolkata last Wednesday, Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia told reporters; “We are launching daily flights between Kolkata and Bangkok from December to boost trade and commerce, tourism and Buddhist pilgrimage between the two countries.” The airlines also announced a new service between Delhi and Bangkok just days earlier. AirAsia will offer daily flights between Bangkok and Kolkata while flights between Bangkok and New Delhi will be available four days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Introductory prices have been released to promote the new service. Fares from Bangkok-Kolkata are now available from INR2,500 each way while Bangkok -New Delhi starts from INR4,500 per way. The Airline aims to take the Delhi-Bangkok service daily within six to eight months, as the seat capacity agreement between India and Thailand allows for it. Bijleveld added; “Depending on the demand we are planning to introduce flights between Kolkata and Phuket and Mumbai and Phuket from third or fourth quarter of 2011 or first quarter of 2012.” The Hindu Business line has warned that AirAsia’s entry along the route network could trigger a price war among carriers operating between India and Thailand. Meanwhile the availability of low fares will boost passenger traffic between the nations which has already grown significantly in recent years. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand the number of Indian nationals travelling to Thailand has increased 20% in the last year. “AirAsia is confident that the number of tourists and investors between the two countries will increase, as consumers will now have more travel options, and be able to fly at an affordable price,” remarked Bijleveld.
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