Bangkok Airways announces India expansion
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Bangkok Airways has announced 2011 expansion strategy at an event in Bangkok. The airline’s President, Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Vice President of Corporate Communications, ML Nandhika Varavarn and Vice President of Sales, Ariya Prasarttong-Osoth, led a press conference today at Intercontinental Bangkok, where they announced the airline’s 2010 results and the planned launch of services to India and Bangladesh.
“The country’s performance in tourism is now on the right track and is improving to where we should see around 5-8% in terms of economic growth,” said Prasarttong-Osoth. “Bangkok Airways is expecting a productive year with some 27% business expansion with a total revenue of THB10.5 billion (US$341 million) plus a 19% increase over the 2.6 million passengers achieved in 2010. This reflects Thailand position as Asia’s most popular destination. We will also benefit from the growth of the neighbouring countries since Thailand is widely used by tourists a gateway and stopover for other SEA countries.
“Serving ‘new exotic routes’ exemplified by the opening of Bangkok-Mumbai on 02 March and Bangkok-Dhaka on 27 March is part of our 2011 expansion strategy. We are confident of achieving a 60% overall load factor for both routes. Mumbai and Dhaka are large-financial centres with some 700,000 Indian nationals flying to Thailand in 2010 and over 60,000 passengers from Dhaka. A 15-20% increase on these numbers is expected this year. The fare will be competitive and services in ‘Asia’s boutique Airline’ style will be as provided on all Bangkok Airways routes.”
He added that Bangkok Airways will serve Mumbai with six flights per week, using an Airbus A319 with 12 business class seats and 108 economy seats. The Dhaka flights will be offered seven times a week, using an Airbus A320 with 162 economy seats.
The Bangkok-based airline will also receive a new Airbus A319 or A320 by the end of the year. The overall flight frequency in 2011 will be increased to 20%. The airline added flights to connect three southern Thai resort destinations – Trat, Koh Samui and Phuket – in 2010, generating a 30% increase in passengers. Also last year the Bangkok-Phuket route was boosted from five to six daily flights, while Bangkok-Phnom Penh rose from three to four flights per day, and Bangkok-Yangon from daily to double daily. Bangkok Airways also plans to add one extra daily flight on its Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, taking total frequency to five daily services.
The company is currently in talks with Finnair, Malaysian Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines over codeshare agreements, adding to its existing arrangements with Thai Airways International, EVA Air, Etihad Airways, Air Berlin, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
ML Nandhika Varavarn, Vice President of Corporate Communications, said; “The launch of Bangkok-Mumbai on 2 March is truly a historic move for Bangkok Airways as it is our first step in the Indian market. India has a long history and fascinating culture, especially Mumbai. The city is the heart of the Indian financial and entertainment industries, home of the Stock Exchange of India and Bollywood. Mumbai is also known as the symbol of India with important landmarks such as the ‘Gateway of India’ built to commemorate India’s Independence Day.
“The airline’s service development for 2011 will be consistent and continuous from our re-branding campaign launched last year especially for the Thai market to create better awareness and perception. This year, we will change the uniform of all frontline staff including flight attendants, ground staff and reservation staff to something more modern and individual. The new uniform is being designed exclusively by Moo-Polpat Asavaprapha, the brand master of ‘Asava’ with a budget of 15 million baht. We are also working with a top fusion restaurant and a top chef to create exclusive dishes for in-flight menus which will be launched around mid-year. Plus, the second series of ‘Love at First Flight’ television commercial is in progress and will also be launched this year,” ML Nandhika added.
Currently, Bangkok Airways serves seven domestic routes: Chiang Mai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Pattaya (U-Tapao), Trat, Phuket, Samui and Krabi, as welll as seven international routes: Hong Kong, Singapore, Luang Prabang, Phanom Penh, Siem Reap, Yangon and Maldives. Its fleet consists of 17 aircrafts – eight ATRs, three Airbus A320s and six Airbus A319s.
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