Nok Air, Thailand's newest budget airline, took to the skies for the first time Friday, a spokesman said.

The inaugural flight of Nok Air, partly owned by national carrier Thai Airways International, flew from the capital, Bangkok, to the northern city of Udon Thani, company spokesman Kuntawat Sirijangkapatana said.

The airline also began services to the northern city of Chiang Mai and the southern province of Hat Yai. It will offer 20 flights daily until October, when it will begin flying to the resort island of Phuket, Kuntawat said.

Nok Air currently leases two Boeing 737-400 planes and cockpit crews from Thai Airways, which owns a 39 percent share of the airline, Kuntawat said.

Nok _ which means "bird" in Thai _ will lease another plane later this year for its Phuket service, he said.

Fares begin at 498 baht (US$12) for flights from Bangkok to Udon Thani, 598 baht (US$15) to Chiang Mai and 898 baht (US$22) to Hat Yai.

Nok Air is the third no-frills carrier to set up in Thailand. Bangkok-based Orient Thai Airlines last year established 1-2-GO, and Thai Air Asia, a Thai joint venture with Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia, began flights within Thailand in February.


Friday July 23, 3:23 PM


http://www.scanair.no/newarrivals/NOKAIR737.jpg

http://www.nokair.co.th/images/planes.gif
http://www.nokair.co.th/images/teamandnokplanes.jpg

...mmm Not Our Kind Airline?
or do they have anything to do with Nokia (Nokia stock symbol NOK) ??
:lol: :lol:

May be he is the one hidden investor for Nok he~~~~he :eat:

...mmm Not Our Kind Airline?
or do they have anything to do with Nokia (Nokia stock symbol NOK) ??
:lol: :lol:

:) Nok means Bird in Thai.

the plane looks like a dyed chicken...

LOOKS SOOOOO CUTE!!!!...:D:D:D

yeah. cute;) hopefully it can compete with the other two big ones.

Bangkok Airways has selected Galileo to extend its domestic flight e-ticketing to the Singapore market. Galileo is the first GDS to provide e-tickets on domestic flights for Bangkok Airways in Singapore.

This is the second time in recent months that Bangkok Airways has chosen Galileo to launch a service enhancement. In April, when Bangkok Airways became Thailand’s first airline to offer domestic e-ticketing in its home market through the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), it selected Galileo to commence this e-ticketing initiative.

"The fact that Bangkok Airways is working with Galileo to extend the availability of e-ticketing overseas underlines that we have established an excellent working relationship with this rapidly growing regional airline," said Mark Rizzuto, Managing Director (Asia), for Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS). "We listened carefully to this customer’s requirements and spared no effort in delivering what the airline was looking for. Bangkok Airways clearly understand the value of e-ticketing – both to their own business and to their customers."

Peter Wiesner, Vice President Marketing, Bangkok Airways Co. Ltd, added: "This is the first time we have offered domestic flight e-ticketing overseas and Galileo have provided exemplary service and execution. We work extremely well with Galileo – they have been highly responsive to our needs. Thanks to Galileo, we have been able to move quickly and smoothly in extending the efficiencies of e-ticketing, on our flights within Thailand, to the key market of Singapore, where there is strong demand for travel to the Thai destinations we serve."

Galileo recently helped Bangkok Airways identify travel agents in Thailand that were continuing to issue paper tickets for its flights. Galileo and the airline then conducted a one-day seminar that focused on the same agents as part of an initiative to encourage them to switch to e-ticketing.

Peter Wiesner added: "Extensive uptake of e-ticketing is an important business goal at Bangkok Airways. Our aim is to have 75% of our flights e-ticketed by the end of 2005 and we are confident we will achieve that target. Everybody benefits – our airline, the travel agents and their customers. A key advantage from our perspective is financial reporting, which is instant with e-ticketing but can take two months or even more with paper tickets."

Posted by TAP @ HKADB :
http://www.carnoc.com/bbs3000/image/list/upphoto98168.jpg

Posted by TAP @ HKADB :
http://www.carnoc.com/bbs3000/image/list/upphoto98168.jpg

I like that look!!!

The First one operating of No-Frill Air in Thailand called ONE-2-GO

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/pba47be3729b4d8938ebf967fc64598f5/f734badc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/pb3653ec3854b226e7678a2f1cb3e44a1/f734baeb.jpg

After just two months aloft, the budget carrier Nok Air claims it is breaking even on its operating cost per flight.

Chief executive officer Patee Sarasin said it had been a ``very encouraging start'' with strong response from the market.

He said the airline would likely reach one billion baht in revenue for its first year ending next June.

More than 70% of the seats are occupied on Nok Air's two daily flights, Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Udon Thani, while the Bangkok-Hat Yai service has 80% occupancy.

``We have achieved our initial goal even though this is still the low [tourism] season,'' said Mr Patee.

Buoyed by the initial success, Nok Air will soon introduce a third daily flight on the Bangkok Hat Yai route and will add two new services _ two daily flights each between Bangkok and Phuket and Bangkok and Phitsanulok _ starting on Oct 15.

To accommodate the additional flights, the carrier will lease another Boeing 737-400 from Thai Airways International Plc, one of its major shareholders.

This year, the fleet will consist of three Boeing 737-400s and another four to five aircraft will be added next year for route expansion, both domestic and overseas.

The fares for Bangkok-Phuket flights will range between 1,150 and 2,350 baht net, with 30% of the 149 seats offered at the minimum fares, said Sehapan Chumsai, the airline's executive vice-president for marketing.

``We don't want to offer unrealistically super-low fares as we would not survive in the business. We would rather offer affordable fares with quality services,'' added Mr Patee.

Currently, 25% of Nok Air's tickets are sold online at its web site, 20% at airport counters, 10% at ATMs and 45% at 7-Eleven convenience stores.

Nok Air, one of Thailand’s low-cost airlines, plans to expand its routes to Phuket and Phitsanulok provinces to strengthen its position in the domestic market.

The company will start operating two daily flights from October and is also adding an additional Boeing 737-400 to its fleet.

Nok Air’s chief executive officer Patee Sarasin, pictured right, said Phuket is internationally recognised as one of the world’s top vacation destination. Phitsanulok is the hub of transport and communications of northeast of Thailand and is becoming a major economic centre.

“Our aim is to take Thai people to explore the beauty of the country and these two new destination are another step towards that goal,” said Patee.

Also encashing in on Phuket’s popularity, rival Thai AirAsia will launch its Singapore-Phuket route in November at a promotional fare of seven baht for a one-way ticket, the carrier said yesterday.

The promotional fare will be offered for 3,000 seats for travel starting November 5, the day the carrier starts its service to Phuket, until March 26, 2005, Thai AirAsia said in a statement.

All bookings must be made with the carrier’s Web site from today till the end of the month.

The normal one-way fare to Phuket will start from 1,222 baht when the promotional period is over.

Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between Malaysia’s AirAsia and Thai telecommunication giant Shin Corp Plc.

Thai AirAsia is locked in a fierce battle with Singapore-based Tiger Airways which is due to start its maiden flights today.

Both carriers have slashed fares to Bangkok in a bid to lay claim as being the lowest cost budget airlines in the region.

Thai AirAsia offered a promotional fare of 11 baht to Bangkok and all 5,000 seats have been taken up.

Its offer came after Tiger Airways, which is backed by Singapore Airlines, sold 3,000 one-way tickets for 24 baht to three Thai destinations – Bangkok, Phuket and Hatyai. – Additional reporting by AFP

Thai AirAsia has signed an agreement with the distribution group Tesco Lotus, which paves the way to expanded distribution channels throughout Thailand. Since mid-September, travellers can book or pay for their flights directly at Thai AirAsia sales counters at five Tesco Lotus outlets in Bangkok. By the end of September, four more sales counters will open at four additional outlets outside Bangkok.

The Thai AirAsia Tesco Lotus outlets are located in :

Bangkok - Bangkapi, Bang Yai, Rangsit, Seacon Square and Sukhumvit
Provinces – Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Udon Thani

Ticket payments can be processed by cash or credit card.

Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO, Thai AirAsia said, “I am delighted by our partnership with Tesco Lotus, which helps us to strengthen our distribution channels. With Thai AirAsia sales counters at 9 Tesco Lotus outlets, we offer a convenient way for our guests to book easily our cheap fares. Both Tesco Lotus and Thai AirAsia target identical customers profile and our association is a win/win situation for both of us.”

Nuanphan Manuk, Distribution Manager Thai AirAsia added, “Our guests can now shop and book flight in the same place to any of our destinations in Thailand or abroad. And they enjoy the convenience of using with any mean of payment like cash or Master and Visa credit cards.”

The airline said that it will use the outlets to launch exclusive promotions in the future.

24 September 2004


Thai AirAsia is embarking on its largest expansion to date, with the delivery of two additional Boeing B737-300's. The low fare airline will use the aircraft to extend its daily flights to 12 destinations from Bangkok as well as between Phuket and Singapore.

On the domestic market, Thai AirAsia will increase the number of its flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Phuket and Ubon Ratchathani. Internationally, Thai AirAsia will add a second daily flight to Macau and a third daily flight to Singapore.

Thai AirAsia will continue also to have a pioneer role by opening routes never flown before in Asia. The airline will inaugurate the first ever non stop daily flight between Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu (State of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo) as well as between Bangkok and Medan (North Sumatra, Indonesia).

In 2005, Thai AirAsia expects to have a total fleet of 13 aircraft. The airline also recently signed an exclusive partnership with the Bangkok Aviation Center Co. Ltd (BAC) for the training of its future pilots. Some 40 new recruits will start their courses in February and October next year and will receive 200 hours of flight training.

“All of those developments show our strong commitment to grow in Thailand. With more aircrafts, more frequencies, more new destinations and the training of our own pilots, Thai AirAsia will definitely strengthen its leadership among low fare airlines in Thailand” said Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO Thai AirAsia.

Nok Air, a low cost carrier based in Bangkok, today launched its much anticipated flights between Bangkok and the popular tourist destination of Phuket, in Southern Thailand.

The airline has started the new service with three flights daily. Flights from Bangkok depart at 08:40, 15:35 and 19:35 arriving in Phuket roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes later. The return flights leave Phuket at 10:35, 17:25 and 21:25.
Nok Air's fun design

Phuket _ Tired of hanging around the airport to catch a flight after having had to check out of your hotel by noon?

Nok Air, the low-cost carrier spearheaded by Thai Airways International Plc, is offering an innovative solution with beach check-in that allows passengers to leave their luggage and catch some more sun before they fly.

To mark the launch of its new Bangkok-Phuket route, Nok Air has opened a check-in point at the Crown Nai Yang Suite Hotel on Nai Yang beach near Phuket international airport. Passengers can check in their baggage and tickets and use the facilities at the hotel including swimming pools and Internet services while waiting for their flights.

The budget carrier has joined with business partners including DTAC, Hertz, Haad Thip and Singha beer to provide convenience to the customers, said CEO Patee Sarasin.

''This is the first time in the world for a low-cost carrier to provide a beach check-in service,'' he said.

DTAC will offer Internet access via its Aircard application for Nok Air passengers, Hertz will provide bus transfers from the hotel to the airport while Singha beer and Haad Thip, the distributor of Coca-Cola in the south, have set up beverage sales counters and games around the beach.

The move is expected to create greater awareness of the airline among passengers, particularly foreigners who now account for about 30% of its flyers.

Similar marketing strategies would be implemented in other cities where Nok Air provides services, he said.

The airline also has applied a novel touch at the various local cities it serves, making flight announcements in the regional dialect. The southern accents heard at the airport in Phuket yesterday caught the attention of some Bangkok residents.

Asked if soaring fuel prices had affected the airline's business, Mr Patee said Nok Air had already hiked its airfares by 5-10% last month to reflect increasing costs.

By the end of this year, Nok Air expects to carry 750,000 passengers and plans to add more routes to Surat Thani and Krabi.

Next year, it is looking to expand its services internationally, possibly to China.

''We don't want to rush into building our service network as we want to make sure that we are here for the long term,'' Mr Patee said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/161004_bus01.jpg
Dressed for the occasion, from left: Sehapan Chumsai, executive vice-president for marketing; Piya Yodmanee, executive vice-president for business operations; and CEO Patee Sarasin announce the launch of the new Phuket service.

I always wonder why budget airlines always look so cool from the outside.

Because it is kind of marketing strategies ;) - pAckAge Design La```````

No-frills airlines flourish in Asia


The plethora of discounters makes travel very cheap -- for the adventurous.
By Jane Engle
Los Angeles Times

October 17, 2004

A dogfight is raging among budget airlines in Asia, producing eye-popping prices. Would you believe 58 cents to fly from Singapore to Thailand?

That's what Tiger Airways, a new low-cost airline based in Singapore, was charging recently for seats to Bangkok, Phuket and Hat Yai, Thailand, to promote its start-up. Thai AirAsia, a budget competitor based in Bangkok, fired back with 17-cent one-way tickets between Singapore and Phuket.

This festival of falling prices is courtesy of a burgeoning fleet of no-frills carriers in Asia, the latest frontier of flying on the cheap.

The trend, which began in the United States and migrated to Europe, spawning such ventures as Ryanair and EasyJet, has landed in this vast region.

Among Asia's other low-cost airlines, which fly routes mostly of five hours or less, are Malaysia-based AirAsia (which runs Thai AirAsia in a joint venture); Singapore-based Valuair, which started in May; Qantas Airways' JetStar, launched in May in Australia; and Virgin Group spin-offs Virgin Blue, based in Australia, and Pacific Blue, which began flying in January from New Zealand.

These new carriers have their downsides.

They don't fly to the United States, and connections with other airlines aren't ensured. Buying a ticket can be cumbersome. Confusing rules can leave you holding the bag -- literally. If you're flying from the United States on a major international airline, you may not even save money in the end.

"You'd have to be very adventuresome to use some of these carriers that are clearly designed for domestic use," said Thom Nulty, a corporate-travel consultant based in Laguna Niguel, Calif., and former president of the giant Navigant International travel agency in Englewood, Colo.

Several travel agents and tour operators in the United States said they booked such airlines rarely, and only if clients requested them or if savings were substantial.

"We are hesitant to use the new carriers because they don't have a track record," said Hima Singh, president of Los Angeles-based Asian Pacific Adventures, which organizes cultural tours.

Another barrier: Most of Asia's low-cost carriers aren't listed in agents' computerized reservation systems; travelers must book them on the Internet.

Jane Engle is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, a Tribune Publishing newspaper.

dbl post

ENCOURAGED by the positive response it received for flights between Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu via Johor Baru, Thai AirAsia yesterday launched direct flights connecting the two cities.

Flight time has been cut down to just under three hours, compared to some five hours it took when passengers had to travel via Johor Bahru.

Fares start from RM99 or Baht 999 one-way, excluding airport taxes and insurance fees.

The inaugural flight from Bangkok touched down at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Terminal Two) at 9.40pm, bringing with it Thai media and tour representatives, and tourists including from Europe.

The low-budget carrier, which is a member of AirAsia, is offering daily flights connecting Bangkok and Kota Kinabalu, with a view of increasing frequency to twice a day in future.

Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld said Kota Kinabalu was the destination of choice as Sabah had a lot to offer, including dive spots.

2004-10-24 / Bloomberg /

Orient Thai Airlines Co., which operates Thailand's largest discount carrier, may spend as much as US$100 million to start a low-cost service based in Hong Kong to tap rising air traffic between the city and China.

Orient Thai, which operates Bangkok-based carrier 1-2-Go, may set up the new airline on its own if negotiations with its Hong Kong-based partner CR Airways Ltd. fail, Chief Executive Udom Tantiprasongchai said.

Orient Thai wants a Hong Kong-based venture to tap business from the 70 million travelers who are expected to go by land, sea and air to China from the city next year. By offering cheap fares, Orient Thai is aiming to compete for business with trains, buses or regular airlines like Hong Kong's Dragon Airlines Ltd. and China Southern Airlines Corp.

"China is the target," Udom said in an interview in Bangkok. "In the very near future, there won't be any restrictions" for carriers to fly between Hong Kong and China.

China, the world's most populous nation and the fastest-growing major economy, also has the biggest untapped tourism market. About 20 million Chinese traveled abroad in 2003, their visits restricted to only two dozen countries.

"About 80 percent of the market hasn't been tapped," said Peter Harbison, managing director of the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation in Sydney. "The only thing that is stopping the growth is government rules."

Starting in September, restrictions were relaxed to make it easier for Chinese citizens to visit the 29 countries of Europe, including the U.K.

Budget carriers

Closely held Orient Thai, which flies 14 aircraft, plans to buy as many as 10 new planes to expand its business in Thailand and abroad. The Bangkok-based company also plans to sell shares in an initial public offering next year.

Discount carriers have mushroomed in Southeast Asia, a region with a combined population of 500 million people. Up to nine discount carriers will fly in the region by the end of 2005.

Thailand, with a population of about 64 million people, has three discount airlines in addition to the national carrier Thai Airways International.

Orient Thai's 1-2-Go competes with Nok Air Co. and the Thai unit of AirAsia Bhd. Competition is also coming from Singapore Airlines Ltd.'s low-fare carrier Tiger Airways and Valuair Ltd., which both fly to Bangkok from Singapore.

That's forced airlines to look for business in North Asia, a region that encompasses South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

"We can use Hong Kong as a springboard to expand in other parts of Asia," Udom said.

Orient Thai, which also has a daily service to Hong Kong from Bangkok and the beach resorts of Phuket and Krabi, plans to fly to other Asian nations from Bangkok.

Rising oil prices may affect the company's plans. The price of jet fuel has surged 66 percent this year to a record US$63.95 a barrel on October 14. They were trading at US$63.70 a barrel yesterday, according to Platts pricing service.

Orient Thai spends half of its operating costs on buying fuel, Udom said. Fuel costs typically account from between 15 percent to 25 percent for regular scheduled carriers such as Thai Airways. AirAsia's jet fuel makes up about 43 percent of costs, according to the airline.

Chinese tourists

As many as 10 million Chinese citizens may visit Hong Kong this year, half of the 20.5 million visitors expected by the city's tourism board. That will be 38 percent more than in 2003, when travel was crimped by Asia's SARS outbreak.

Hong Kong and China last month signed an agreement to increase passenger and cargo flights. China allows Hong Kong-based carriers to fly to more than 20 Chinese cities including Shanghai and Beijing, provided the destinations are not already served by more than two airlines based in Hong Kong, Udom said.

Cathay Pacific, Asia's sixth-largest airline by sales, won rights on October 19 to increase the frequency of its Beijing flights and started flying to Xiamen in southeastern China.

Orient Thai's competitor Nok Air Co., the budget carrier unit of Thai Airways International, plans to fly to China from cities in Thailand, Chief Executive Patee Sarasin said earlier this week.

CR Airways is a three-year-old air charter company based in Hong Kong. It flies a single 50-seat CRJ-200 regional aircraft made by Canada's Bombardier Inc. to Asian destinations including the casino resort of Laoag in the Philippines.

CR Airways, founded by businessman Robert Yip, also charters helicopters and private jets. Yip could not be reached to comment.

Nok Air, a low cost airline in Thailand, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Thai-Yazaki, a leading supplier of vehicle power and data solutions, for a Corporate Travel Scheme, whereby Thai-Yazaki will enjoy the convenience of direct services from Nok Air for its traveling employees, with a dedicated Nok Air liaison.

In signing this agreement, Thai-Yazaki has become Nok Air’s first corporate client. “At Nok Air, we are always looking at ways to provide greater ease and convenience for all of our passengers, providing service with innovation. We are very pleased to be able to extend the Nok Air travel experience to Thai-Yazaki”, said Patee Sarasin, the CEO of Nok Air.

Nok Air has 5 daily flights to Chiang Mai, 1 daily flight to Phitsunulok, 3 daily flights to Udon Thani, Hat Yai, and Phuket. Operating on Boeing 737-400s, each with a capacity of 149.

http://tinypic.com/xc7d2

http://www.orient-thai.com/web/images/thaibanner1.gifOrient Thai Airlines (http://www.orient-thai.com/web/home.html)


http://www.pbair.com/Images/pbtop.gif PB Air (http://www.pbair.com/)


http://www.phuketairlines.com/about/images/logo.gif Ohuket Air (http://www.phuketairlines.com/)


http://www.airasia.com/images/airasia_01.gif Thai AirAsia (http://www.airasia.com/general.php?p=pmain&l=en)

http://203.154.168.55/birts/images/header_01.jpg Bangkok Airways (http://www.bangkokair.com/en/)


http://www.nokair.co.th/images/logosmall.gif Nok Air (http://www.nokair.co.th/?mode=normal)

http://www.thaiair.com/images/includes/royal_e_service_logo.jpg Thai Airways (http://www.thaiair.com/index.shtml)

CPB finds fault in fine print for fares

POST REPORTERS

The Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is threatening to fine Thailand's three low-cost carriers for "misleading and confusing advertisements" about their low fare offerings.

The three carriers face fines of 100,000 baht each pending approval by a CPB committee next month, according to Noppadol Mekmekha, director of the board's branch that monitors advertising claims.

The fines have been proposed for SkyAsia Co, the operator of Nok Air, Thai AirAsia Co, and Orient Thai Airlines, which runs the One-Two-Go budget carrier. The companies were found to have provided insufficient information on airfares and conditions such as extra surcharges, insurance fees, airport tax and value-added tax.

Mr Noppadol said the board's investigation followed complaints by members of the public about allegedly misleading and confusing information contained in the advertisements for the low-cost airlines, especially on fares.

According to passengers' complaints, One-Two-Go advertised fares of 880 baht for every Bangkok-Hat Yai flight, but in reality the passengers had to pay up to a total of 1,454 baht. The company later explained to the board that the 880-baht price was only for flights during a promotional period that ended on July 15 and it did not include airport tax and insurance fees.

The fare for regular flights was 1,299 baht, with airport tax and insurance fees bringing the total to 1,454 baht.

A Thai AirAsia passenger complained that a seat was cancelled after the passenger booked a Nakhon Ratchasima-Bangkok flight for 170 baht as advertised.

Mr Noppadol said the operators had provided vague information in their advertisements even though most of the lowest fares offered had various restrictions, such as being applicable only on particular flights or for a limited number of seats.

He said complaints were also received about fare advertisements for Nok Air's Bangkok-Chiang Mai flight. One passenger said the fare was advertised at only 598 baht but he had to pay a total of 1,300 baht.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, the chief executive of Orient Thai Airlines, expressed surprise at the findings, saying that the only consumer complaint he was aware of involved "insufficient information" rather than the intention to "mislead".

The airline explained its position to the customer and compensated him 155 baht, the amount in dispute, he said.

"So, I honestly don't know about the issue the CPB was raising," said Mr Udom.

"So far, the airline has carried one million passengers and we have received fewer than ten complaints."

One-Two-Go has over the past four to five months quoted its fares on a net basis, including other charges such as insurance and taxes, he said.

"In fact, I don't mind paying the fine to the CPB if it sets a precedent and stops others from carrying out such practices in fare advertising that still exist today," he said.

Sehapan Chumsai, Nok Air's executive vice-president for marketing, said that after checking with the CPB, he found the decision to fine the airlines had not been conclusive.

He said Nok Air had followed the board's regulations since it was initially warned about an unclear advertisement earlier this year.

Executives of Thai AirAsia could not be reached for comment.

Nok Air, a low fare airline in Thailand, is offering more value to travelers who purchase the airline’s “Nok Plus” seats.

Nok Plus seats are extra size seats at the front of each Nok Air plane and are available for a surcharge of THB 500. Purchasers of Nok Plus will now be offered the unconditional privilege of a flexible no-limit flight change for up to 3 months after their first confirmed reservation. In addition, a special snack box and free newspaper will be given to all “Plus” customers, while the luggage allowance will be upgraded to 30 Kg. per customer ticket. Nok Plus seats are available on all Nok Air flights.

Nok Air has 3 daily flights to Phuket, as well as 5 daily flights to Chiang Mai, 3daily flights to Udon Thani and Hat Yai, and 1 daily flight to Phitsunulok, operating Boeing 737-400s, each with a capacity of 149.

http://www.orient-thai.com/web/promotion/Eng.jpg

http://www.nokair.co.th/images/xmas_en.gif http://www.nokair.co.th/promotion/nokplus/nokplustop_en.gif http://www.nokair.co.th/images/1318_en.gif

http://www.airasia.com/promo/images/en/free050114.gif


FLY FROM THB 599 TILL 26 MARCH 2005!
Travel Period
until 26 Mar 2005

Depart from/to Don Muang Airport (Bangkok International Airport)
Khon Kaen from THB599
Udon Thani from THB699
Ubon Ratchathani from THB799
Chiang Mai from THB999
Chiang Rai from THB999
Penang from THB999 / RM99.99
Phuket from THB1000
Hat Yai from THB1100
Singapore from THB1299 / S$58.99
Kota Kinabalu from THB1300 / RM129.99
Macau from THB1499 / MOP339 http://www.airasia.com/promo/images/th/bkkjanx050115.gif

Only 1300 Baht from BKK to Phuket! Damn that's cheap :).

Chiang Mai _ Orient Thai Airlines expects its overall revenue this year to rise marginally from last year's level of about six billion baht due to the expected fall in international traffic as the result of tsunami disaster.

Contributing to the growth would be revenues from the Thai carrier's domestic budget airline One-Two-Go, which projects to almost double the number of its passengers to 2.5 million this year from 1.4 million last year, driven by higher flight frequencies and route expansion, according to CEO Udom Tantiprasongchai.

Later this year, One-Two-Go will open new routes from Bangkok to Surat Thani and Krabi, and it is considering relaunching services to Udon Thani and introducing an Ubon Ratchathani destination.

Orient Thai Airlines generated about five billion baht in revenue last year, with One-Two-Go contributing additional revenue of slightly more than one billion baht to the company.

Mr Udom said competition in the low-fare airline sector would be less intense this year as most of the players are struggling to get out of the red.

By the end of the third quarter, Orient Thai Airlines plans to be listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand to raise funds for international market expansion.

Mr Udom declined to specify a fund-raising target, saying the airline was now in the process of selecting its financial adviser.

In another development, One-Two-Go yesterday signed an agreement with Counter Services Co to provide added convenience to passengers who could make ticket payments at the 3,600 pay points of the Counter Services worldwide.

It is expected that between 400,000 and 500,000 passengers of One-Two-Go will buy their tickets through the Counter Service network this year.

Counter Service, meanwhile, would gain benefits from the customer base of One-Two-Go, said Prasert Manuphibul, general manager of operations.

Currently, he said, Counter Service generated about six million transactions a month from its pay points, the majority of which are located in 7-Eleven convenience stores.

Passengers who wish to fly on One-Two-Go could make reservations three days in advance at the call centre and make the payment before midnight on the reservation day.

Besides serving airlines, Counter Service is looking to become the payment point for other modes of transport and is in talks with operators of railways and the Bangkok Mass Transport Authority.
https://secure.abatravel.net/ort/images/top_fly2.jpg https://secure.abatravel.net/ort/images/banner_mainox.gif

I saw many times one-to-go at Jakarta CGK airport, are they gonna fly to Jakarta from Bangkok? any news from the airline?

cheers

I saw many times one-to-go at Jakarta CGK airport, are they gonna fly to Jakarta from Bangkok? any news from the airline?

cheers

One-two-go airlines is running by Orient Thai, budget carrier mianly served for Thailand's destination, domestic soloy and international schedule is back to her mother company but mostly of their aircraft are painted by that logo similarity :)

If you are saw this one-2-go aircraft, would it be the charterd flight of Orient Thai that it is resemble as flying into HKG by regular based

Maybe they are using these as a new generation CIS for their fleet

International flight :
HKG
SEL
SIN
KUL




@ Hong Kong Int'l Airport
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/pba47be3729b4d8938ebf967fc64598f5/f734badc.jpg

@ Bangkok Airport
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/pb3653ec3854b226e7678a2f1cb3e44a1/f734baeb.jpg

Yap you right isan, i just told, that it was 4 times weekly chartered flight to Bali via Jakarta. Good idea, since it will link thai resorts island with Bali. I am sure the tourist will be happy.

cheers

Bloomberg
SINGAPORE – Four of the 11 low-fare carriers that fly in Southeast Asia and India said they are planning initial public offers of their stocks in the next two years, tapping funds to expand as the region’s air travel grows.

The airlines consist of India’s Air Deccan, Orient Thai Airlines, Thailand’s Nok Air and Singapore’s Valuair.

Orient Thai, which operates Thailand’s largest discount carrier, plans to sell at least a quarter of its stock, the Bangkok-based airline’s Chairman Udom Tantiprasongchai said Tuesday in Singapore. Nok Air, owned by Thai Airways International Plc, is considering an initial public offering in late 2006, Chief Executive Patee Sarasin said Tuesday.

Southeast Asia “is going to be the region with the most growth in the world”, said Sarit Panjarnano, an analyst at KGI Securities (Thailand) Plc in Bangkok. Greater easing of aviation policies “will lead to more air traffic from India and China”.

Orient Thai, which began flying in December 2003 using the One-Two-Go brand, offers low-fare flights in Thailand and operates full-service flights to South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

The Bangkok-based airline plans to more than double its fleet this year to expand domestic and international flights. The airline will lease 15 planes in 2005, three of them from Boeing. Udom said the remaining 12 will be “medium-sized” planes, without giving details.

“The company must accelerate the fleet expansion and other facilities to serve high demand,” he said. “We want to increase flights in Thailand and fly to China.”

Orient Thai is planning to set up a wholly owned budget airline in Hong Kong, Udom said, without giving details. It will resume flying to Hong Kong from southern Thailand’s Phuket on February 1. The service was halted after the December 26 tsunami destroyed tourism facilities in Phuket.

Nok Air flies to five destinations in Thailand, including the Phuket resort island in the country’s south. Dhipaya Insurance Plc, Krung Thai Bank Plc, the Thai Government Pension Fund and Crown Property Bureau also own shares in Nok.

Nok Air is adding routes, which helps the airline’s profitability. The company said it expects sales to expand as much as 30 percent a year between 2005 and 2008. A Nok Air ticket costs 1,000 baht on average.

The airline plans to operate daily flights to Macau in July this year and offer services to southern China’s Shenzhen city in November, Patee said. The airline is also considering starting a service to Hanoi this year.

Nok Air will lease four 737-400 planes made by Boeing this year, taking delivery for the first plane before June. Nok Air currently flies three Boeing 737-400 planes.

Air Deccan of India plans to raise as much as $300 million by September 2006, selling at least a quarter of its stock to buy planes and extend its routes overseas, said Managing Director GR Gopinath.

Valuair Ltd, one of three discount carriers based in Singapore, is also looking at an initial offer, said its Chief Executive Sim Kay Wee, without giving a time.

The four airlines are following the October 29 stock sale by Malaysia’s AirAsia, Southeast Asia’s biggest discount carrier, which raised 863 million ringgit ($277 million) to buy new planes. With increasing affluence in the population of China and India, the demand for air travel has increased. Easier traveling rules in China and India are also letting more citizens fly abroad for business and leisure.

AirAsia, the first low-cost carrier to fly in Southeast Asia, offered the stock to individual investors at 1.16 ringgit a share, with institutional investors paying 1.25 ringgit apiece.

Asia’s demand for air travel is expected to expand at least 10 percent this year, according to a forecast by Sydney-based Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation, which advises the region’s governments on aviation policies. Increasing number of Chinese and Indian travelers, from the world’s two most populous nations, will lead the growth in demand, said the center’s managing director Peter Harbison.

“We’ll see double-digit growth on a lot of Asia-Pacific routes this year, particularly those due to the influence of low-cost carriers coming through,” Harbison said on Monday at the Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation and Travel Outlook conference in Singapore.

At Singapore’s Changi Airport, Asia’s sixth-busiest, low-fare carriers flew 7 percent of the 3,700 weekly flights. Besides Valuair, Singapore Airlines Ltd’s Tiger Airways and Qantas Airways Ltd’s JetStar Asia also base their flights at Changi.

Air Deccan, based in south-central India’s Bangalore city, plans to increase its fleet to 17 aircraft this year, with the capacity to expand its daily services to 100 flights.

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Bangkok Airways has promoted Mr. Suphit Riensavapak to the position of Marketing and Distribution Director.

As the Marketing and Distribution Director, the airline’s revenue management as well as pricing and distributions through both GDS and on-line booking channels comes under his supervision. Previously, Mr Suphit was the airline’s Deputy Director Marketing and Sales Services. He joined Bangkok Airways in April 2003 after his 17 years with Swissair as Manager Sales and Services.

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February 1, 2005

Thai AirAsia, 49 percent owned by Malaysian budget airline AirAsia, said on Tuesday it aims to carry up to 2.5 million passengers this year, up from about 1 million in 2004, and make its first profit.

Chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld also said he expected Asia's fledgling low-cost airline industry to grow 20-30 percent this year, down from last year's 30-40 percent.

"This year, competition should not be different from last year. The industry should grow 20-30 percent and AirAsia is targeting passengers of around 2.4 to 2.5 million," Tassapon said.

The airline, which started operations a year ago, had said it expected to make a profit in its first year of operations but it failed due to high oil prices and intense competition on both domestic and international routes.

Low fares would help AirAsia attract more passengers and it planned to double its fleet to 12 aircraft this year and expand to 20 planes over the next three and a half years, Tassapon said.

The airline wanted to boost its international routes, where profits were higher than on domestic routes, he said.

The airline planned to start at least three new international routes in April, to China, Hanoi and Phnom Penh, and a domestic Bangkok-Narathiwat route next week, he added.

Thai AirAsia is 50 percent owned by Shin Corp, Thailand's largest telecoms group, founded by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

(Reuters)
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The Bkk - KK flight seems like a great deal!

Thai AirAsia's Narathiwat service a calculated gamble


http://www.airasia.com/images/airasia_02.gif

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Nok Air launches Travel Loan Promotion

16 February 2005


Nok Air, a low cost airline based in Thailand, is making flying even easier by collaborating with AEON Thana Sinsap in offering travelers the “AEON Super Package”, providing innovative payment services with greater convenience and ease of payment to travelers during the up coming holiday season.

With the “AEON Super Package”, travelers can choose a travel package to any of the 5 destinations that Nok Air serves, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai. The package includes hotel accommodation, return airfare with Nok Air and airport transfers. Payment can then be made with the AEON installment payment.

Patee Sarasin, Chief Executive Officer of Nok Air, said, “Nok Air is very pleased to be working with AEON Thana Sinsap in offering unique and useful products such as these to travelers. It has always been Nok Air’s aim to enable more Thais to travel and see the beauty of their country, to see families that they haven’t seen in years, to allow Thais to travel long distances quickly and comfortably, and to do all this at prices that are really affordable. This collaboration with AEON gives us a very special opportunity to do just that.”

Mr. Masao Mizuno, Managing Director, Aeon Thana Sinsap (Thailand) added “As a partner, we are very pleased to be working with Nok Air to offer new and valuable products to our customers. We feel that the “AEON Super Package” can serve to further stimulate the traveling habits of Thais, while promoting tourism within the country. With over 2 million AEON members nationwide we are sure this will be promoted by word of mouth, as well as through our normal channels of advertising such as the posters, brochures, and our direct mail.”

For “AEON Super Package” AEON members can make reservations for one of the Aeon Super Packages through the AEON call center at 0-2664-0381-2 and 0-2664-0396-7, while non- AEON members can apply for membership at the AEON call center. Payment can be made with the AEON installment payment option or full payment can be made through the AEON credit card. The packages are available from today through April 30, 2005.

Nok Air has 3 daily flights to Phuket, as well as daily flights to Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, and Phitsunulok, operating Boeing 737-400s, each with a capacity of 149.http://http://www.nokair.co.th/images/logolightver.gif

Bangkok Airways keen to start service to Guwahatihttp://www.bangkokair.com/en/images/header_02.jpg

GUWAHATI: Bangkok Airways has expressed keen interest in starting air services between Bangkok and Guwahati.

A 30-member Bangkok Airways delegation arrived at Guwahati today on a three-day visit to Assam. Bangkok Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brasert Prassarttong Osoth, led the delegation.

The delegation will explore the tourism and investment potentials in Assam and Northeast and assess the facility of starting air-services on a regular basis.

The Chief Minister, Mr Tarun Gogoi, has taken the lead in inviting the airline to open regular air services to Guwahati, as the region offers great geographical proximity to Thailand and throws open the entire north east to the South East Asia.

The delegation had elaborate discussions with State tourism, industries, forests and environment Ministries, besides Mr Gogoi.

Mr Osoth said, 'Bangkok Airways is operating in seven southeast Asian countries. We are desirous of extending services to Northeast India also. We have cultural affinity with this region and will be happy to contribute towards strengthening economic ties .' - UNI

Thai AirAsia to launch flights to China
17 March 2005http://www.airasia.com/images/th/airasia_02.gif


Thai AirAsia is to launch flights between Bangkok and Xiamen, China, on 25th April 2005, becoming the first low cost airline in Asia to gain entry into the People’s Republic of China.

In conjunction with the launch of this new route, Thai AirAsia is offering 8888 seats at a special launch fare of RMB 388 / THB 1899 one way. These special launch fares exclude airport taxes and fees, and are good for travel from 25th April 2005 to 29th October 2005.

Seats on the new Bangkok – Xiamen route will be available for sale from 18th March 2005 onwards. Thai AirAsia will initially serve one daily flight between Bangkok and Xiamen and vice versa.

After the special launch fares have sold out, regular fares for Bangkok – Xiamen will start from RMB 528 / THB 2499 one way.

Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia said, “This is truly an exciting time not only for AirAsia, but also for the entire air travel industry in China. AirAsia has brought low fares to the people of Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Macau and Indonesia. We have revolutionized air travel for the people in the region and encouraged trade and tourism to prosper in the countries that we fly. Today marks another exciting chapter for AirAsia as we bring our low fares, and unique experience to the people of Xiamen and the Fujian region. We would like to thank Chairman Wang TiTang, and Xiamen Airport Authority for the warm welcome extended to AirAsia. We strongly believe that Xiamen is a great debut for AirAsia, one which can potentially enable the 1.3 billion people living in China to gain access to low fares and the gift of flight.”

Located in the southern part of the Fujian province, Xiamen is the second largest city of the province with a population of more than 30 million people. As one of the five economic special regions in China, Xiamen has grown into an economic powerhouse with the third highest GDP per capita in the republic.



Thai budget airline starts flight to China
Thursday 17th March, 2005 (UPI)

AirAsia, the first budget airline in Thailand to fly to China, launched the service Thursday with an inaugural flight from Bangkok to Xiamen.

The airline hopes that its planes will fly at 75 percent passenger capacity within two months of launching operations and in the future plans to offer four to five routes to major Chinese destinations, including Kunming, TNA news agency reports.

According to the airline's chief executive, Thassapol Balewelt, Xiamen was targeted both for its status as an important economic powerhouse and because the large numbers of immigrants from Xiamen who have settled in Thailand and Malaysia.

Separately Thassapol warned that plans by Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. to raise airport landing fees could prove crippling to the Thai aviation industry, particularly low-cost airlines, as they would make Thai airports unable to compete with cheaper airports in places like Singapore.

PB Air leases fuel-efficient Boeing
SUJINTANA HEMTASILPA

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Confident that the superior fuel-efficiency offered by the Boeing 767-300 would help it cut overall fuel costs by 10%, privately-owned carrier PB Air will tomorrow begin deploying one of the newly leased aircraft on its Bangkok-Beijing and Bangkok-Shanghai routes.

PB Air's president Jothin Pamon-Montri said the Boeing 767 was introduced to the market in 1982, at a time when world fuel prices were soaring.

The aircraft was specially designed to help airlines hold the line on skyrocketing fuel costs.

''It turned out that Asiana Airlines has been renting out its 767 aircraft, so we decided to get one,'' said Mr Jothin.

The aircraft has been leased from the Korea-based airline under a five-year-contract.

The Boeing 767-300 is a twin-aisle twinjet aircraft with a capacity to seat up to 245 passengers.

The carrier will provide daily service between Bangkok and Shanghai and fly five times a week from Bangkok to Beijing.

With the larger airplane, PB Air expects this year to double total passengers from 240,000 last year to 480,000.

Along with other airlines, PB Air has seen its fuel costs soar during the past six months from nine baht per litre to 17 baht. According to Mr Jothin, his airline is using about one million litres of fuel each month.

On Sunday, PB Air's fuel surcharge was bumped up from 300 baht for domestic flights to 350 baht, and from 350 baht for international flights to 470 baht.

''After six months, we can no longer shoulder the rising fuel cost without raising the surcharge,'' said Mr Jothin.

He affirmed, however, that the airline had no plans to increase airfares, at least not within the near future.

According to Mr Jothin, with more and more Thais travelling to China's major cities for leisure and business purposes, he expects that the airline's flights from Bangkok to China to have at least a 60% load factor during non-peak seasons.

''Sixty percent would be enough for the operation to break even,'' he said.

However, because Chinese tourists are still reluctant to visit Thailand after the Dec 26 tsunami, he anticipated that the load factor on flights from Shanghai to Bangkok would linger at around 30%.

The Boeing 767 aircraft will join the two narrow-body Embraer 145 aircraft in PB Air's existing fleet.

According to the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the number of Thais travelling to China jumped last year. Based on agency figures, the number rose to 233,182 from January to October last year, compared to 122,943 during the same period of 2003.

Nok Air to assist Passengers with Hat Yai flights
4 April 2005


Nok Air, a Thai based low cost airline, has said it will fully honor and assist all those who had purchased tickets with the airline on the Bangkok/Hat Yai or Hat Yai/Bangkok routes, on or prior to April 3.

In light of the incident in Hat Yai on Sunday, any passenger who has purchased a ticket for a Nok Air flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai, or from Hat Yai to Bangkok, on or before 3 April 3 2005, will be able change their flights, should they wish to do so, at no additional charge providing that they contact the Nok Air call center 1318 by Monday, 18 April 2005. Flights will be available on a first come first served basis through 30 Jun 2005. The airline also stated that passengers who wish to cancel their travel plans will be given full refunds.

Bangkok Airways to launch flights between Bangkok-Zhengzhou and Bangkok-Hangzhou in China
11 April 2005


Bangkok Airways is continuing its route expansion into China with the launch of two new non-stop air links between Bangkok - Zhengzhou (CGO), and Bangkok - Hangzhou (HGH) on April 19th and April 20th respectively.

Serviced by 162-seat Airbus 320 on both routes, Bangkok Airways will operate a weekly service to Zhengzhou, with a twice weekly to Hangzhou.

To celebrate the launch promotional round-trip airfares are available at 14,400 THB for Bangkok-Zhengzhou; and 15,000 THB for Bangkok-Hangzhou; until October 29th, 2005.

Leaving Bangkok every Tuesday at 01:00, Bangkok Airways will fly non-stop to Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, with a morning arrival at 06:00. The return service departs Zhengzhou at 07:00 arriving in Bangkok at 10:00.

Flights between Bangkok and Hangzhou depart every Wednesday and Sunday, leaving Bangkok at 02:00 arriving in Hangzhou at 07:00. The return service from Hangzhou departs at 07:50 with a 10:50 arrival in Bangkok.

In addition to the above mentioned new routes, the airline already flies to Jinghong, Guilin, Xi’an, and Shenzhen in China.

Three airlines fined for misleading ads
PREEYANAT PHANAYANGGOOR


Three low-cost airlines _ Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go _ were fined 50,000 baht each yesterday for publishing misleading advertisements.

The fines were imposed by the Consumer Protection Board, which declined to accept their appeals.

The three airlines had misled the public by announcing cheap fares in big Thai-language headlines but stating the conditions in tiny print.

Bangkok Airways moves in Myanmar
Wednesday, 20 April 2005

Bangkok Airways is about to spread its wings in Myanmar possibly establishing a new airline later this year that will serve both domestic and Mekong region routes.

Reliable sources in Yangon said they believed the Bangkok-based airline would secure a permit in the near future to operate an airline that will be called Irrawady Airways.

Last year Bangkok Airways filed a similar proposal to start an airline to be named Bagan Air but it discovered another company had successfully gained a similar permit to launch Air Bagan.

Back in May 2004, during the introduction of the Bangkok-Yangon service, Bangkok Airways CEO Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth announced he would establish a sister airline in Myanmar, following the successful business model used to start Siem Reap Airways in Cambodia.

Mr Prasert's vision is to connect World Heritage sites in the Mekong region using an integrated network with Siem Reap Airways, Bangkok Airways and an airline based in Yangon. Political turmoil in Myanmar last year forced Mr Prasert to put his plan on hold but now sources claim he is just weeks away from securing a permit to establish Irrawady Airways.

Currently, Bangkok Airways operates a daily flight from Bangkok to Yangon, but a second route from Bangkok to Bagan is under consideration. During the Mekong Tourism Forum an airline representative confirmed that it was a “possibility that the airline would start a service to Bagan either direct from Bangkok or via Chiang Mai.”

No firm plans have emerged and a Bangkok Airways executive told TTR Weekly it was only a possibility with no decision yet on timing, aircraft or the routing.

Bangkok Airways executives declined to comment on reports from Yangon that it has filed for a permit to establish an airline in Myanmar.

This has not dampened speculation with reliable sources telling this publication they have “no doubts whatsoever that the airline is close to a deal.”

“The project already has a name, Irrawady Airways, and my understanding is it will start soon serving domestic routes,” an aviation source based in Yangon commented.

There other aviation developments that impact on traffic between Bangkok and Yangon. There is talk of extending the code-share between Thai Airways International and Myanmar Airways International.

Both airlines launched their first joint service code-share agreement on the Bangkok-Yangon route in 2003. Myanmar Airways International operates 10 weekly flights during the summer schedule. The airline will resume operation of 13 weekly flights after 29 October this year.

MAI recently temporarily suspended its Yangon-Hong Kong services, while it works interlines with Cathay Pacific on the route Yangon-Bangkok-Hong Kong instead.

Phuket Air currently operates four weekly services on the same route with 118-seat B737-200 aircraft.

PB Air stopped its Bangkok-Bagan flights during this summer schedule. The airline operated two weekly services to Bagan with 50-seat Embraer 145LR aircraft.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's newest domestic airline, Air Bagan, recently added flights to Myitkyina and Putao on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and to Myeik and Dawei on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Myitkynia is located north of Mandalay in the northernmost part of Myanmar in Kachin State. Putao is located around 200 km north of Myitkynia, not far from the Indian and Chinese borders. Myeik is located in the southernmost part of Myanmar, while Dawei is around 200 km north of Myeik.

In the past, travels agencies could not promote these areas because there were no regular flights between the destinations.

Air Bagan's current fleet consists of one Fokker 100 jet, ATR 72 and two ATR 42-320 turboprop aircraft. By the end of 2005, the airline will add two F100 jets and two ATR 42-320 turbo-prop aircraft.

As part of tourism expansion, Myanmar's Tourism Minister Htay Aung expects the easing of air travel, new beach resorts in the Mergui archipelago and theme parks built in Thanlyin and Yangon to attract 750,000 tourists this year, up from the 656,910 visitors in 2004.

Early next year, Yangon will be the host venue for the next Asean Tourism Forum. Mr Htay Aung said the city hopes to attract 1,600 participants from around the world.

Nok Air adds Distribution Channel with Krung Thai Bank ATMs
29 April 2005


Nok Air, a Thailand based low cost airline, has signed an agreement with Krung Thai Bank to allow passengers with a Krung Thai Bank account to be able to pay for tickets at any of Krung Thai Bank's ATM machines nationwide.

“One of our main goals at Nok Air has always been to make flying as easy as possible for all Thais,” said Patee Sarasin, CEO of Nok Air. “Many people are not used to buying airline tickets, or even afraid of it, but we are working to make it as simple as possible for them, and working with Krung Thai Bank is a big part of that. Nok Air has done research and studies of consumer behavior and realized that one of the most important keys to reach out to the potential customers is to penetrate their daily lifestyles, and ATM's are a part of that penetration.”

“A large number of the Thai population, at one point, has used ATM machines to pay their electricity or phone bills. Therefore, when looking for an easy payment point as part of our distribution systems, Krung Thai Bank ATM machines made perfect sense. Nok Air customers with Krung Thai Bank accounts will be able to pay at any of the 1,100 Krung Thai Bank ATM machines nationwide” said Patee. “When purchasing a Nok Air ticket, customers will be able chose the method of payment that is most convenient for them, and Krung Thai Bank ATM is one option we are certainly very excited about” concluded Patee.

Nok Air has 3 daily flights to Phuket, as well as daily flights to Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, and Phitsunulok, operating Boeing 737-400s, each with a capacity of 150.

Thailand's Low Cost Airlines to implement Fuel Surcharge
28 April 2005


Three of Thailand’s low cost airlines, Nok Air, One-Two-Go, and Thai AirAsia, today announced a fuel surcharge to reflect the ever-increasing cost of aviation fuel. The carriers’ fuel surcharge, effective 1 May 2005, will be THB200 (excluding VAT) per ticket for domestic flights, and THB400 for international flights (this may vary depending on the international destinations’ regulations).

“With the constantly escalating cost of aviation fuel, and its serious impact on all our operating costs, it is necessary to put in place this fuel surcharge”, said Patee Sarasin, CEO of Nok Air. “Needless to say, as low cost carriers, the last thing any of us want to do is to raise our prices, but in this current situation we have had no choice but to implement the surcharges. All of us have been equally affected and can no longer absorb these additional costs. The surcharge will help us but it certainly does not cover what we have had to absorb over the past several months. We plan on reviewing the situation quarterly from here on out, so as to reflect the market”

“The airlines have been facing the growing pressure of the ever increasing world oil prices since the beginning of the 2005. Now, with oil prices reaching their highest level, we have all been forced to levy this surcharge to offset the costs of aviation fuel. The airlines will adjust the surcharge once the situation is back to normal”, noted Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia.

“We think our passengers, and those looking at purchasing our tickets, will understand why this surcharge was necessary. We will be reviewing the situation regularly, and certainly hope that oil prices will stabilize, and even go down” concluded Udom Tantiprasongchai, CEO of One-Two-Go.

Business Times - 03 May 2005

Thai budget airlines impose fuel surcharges

(BANGKOK) Three low-cost Thai airlines introduced surcharges of 200 baht (S$8.27) per ticket for domestic flights and 400 baht per ticket for international flights starting May 1 to help offset the high price of jet fuel, the companies said in a joint statement.

'The airlines have been facing the growing pressure of the ever-increasing world oil prices since the beginning of 2005,' Tassapon Bijlevel, chief executive of Thai AirAsia, was quoted as saying in the statement. 'Now, with oil prices reaching their highest level (yet), we have all been forced to levy this surcharge.'

The carriers will review the situation regularly and consider adjusting the surcharge according to oil price changes.

Nok Air is an affiliate of the national carrier Thai Airways International, while Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between Malaysia's AirAsia and Thailand's Shin Corp. One-Two-Go is under private carrier Orient Thai Airlines. - AP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bangkok Airways launches Phuket Golf Package
10 May 2005


Bangkok Airways and Fah Thai Holidays have launched a golf package at the Blue Canyon Country Club with two-nights accommodation and two rounds of golf at 12,000 Baht per person on a twin-sharing basis. The deal is valid until 31 October 2005.

The package includes a round-trip air ticket Bangkok-Phuket on Bangkok Airways, two-nights accommodation in a standard room, breakfast, airport transfer, and two rounds of golf, one at the Canyon Course, and the other at the Lake Course. Both courses lie within the compound of the Blue Canyon Country Club.

For the other non-golfer party traveling together, this package costs 8,400 Baht with a gift voucher in value of 1,000 Baht for spa and salon treatments.

Bangkok Airways first Asian airline to use Amadeus revenue integrity technology
13 June 2005


Amadeus has signed a contract with Asia's 'Boutique Airline', Bangkok Airways, to provide the airline with Amadeus Revenue Integrity.

The airline is the first in Asia to sign up for revenue integrity technology from Amadeus, which Bangkok Airways estimates will reduce by a third the number of reservations not resulting in a paying customer (no-shows). Amadeus Revenue Integrity achieves this by enforcing limits on how long a reservation can remain without a ticket being issued (and paid for), and searching for duplicate Passenger Name Records (PNRs).

Revenue integrity technology makes predicting the number of no-shows much more accurate, allowing airlines to fill their planes with paying customers instead of empty seats. Less no-shows means lower costs at departure, more accurate revenue forecasts, a higher load factor and, ultimately, selling more seats at the right price.

Speaking at Amadeus’ recent Asia-Pacific Airline Forum, Mr. Peter Wiesner, Vice President Marketing at Bangkok Airways, quantified the expected business benefits, “With Amadeus Revenue Integrity we expect to save in the region of $1.75 million a year, from reduced no-shows, reselling seats which wouldn’t have been paid for, and more accurately forecasting our load factor.”

Twenty-six airlines across four continents, carrying from one million to seventy million passengers, use Amadeus Revenue Integrity. The technology is developed by Amadeus’ fully-owned subsidiary, Airline Automation, Inc. Recent customer signatures include, United Air Lines in North America, dba in Europe, and TACA in Latin America.

Arnaud Debuchy, Director, Amadeus Travel Intelligence, who oversees Amadeus Revenue Integrity, said, “Our technology brings all the elements of revenue integrity together into one package and currently processes over 25 million PNRs each month. This success is a result of the technical, airline-reservations and revenue-management expertise built up over Airline Automation’s twenty-one years of operations combined with Amadeus’ global presence.”

Flight Information and Airfares via SMS with Nok Air
6 July 2005


Nok Air, a low cost Thailand based airline, is making flying even simpler as travelers can now check flight information and airfares via SMS 24-7.

Travellers simply need to type 'Nok' and send to 4863999 to get user instructions or simply follow the instructions below:

1. Key in the point of origin and leave a space
2. Then key in the destination and leave a space
3. Input the date of travel
4. Send the message to 4863999

A reply will then be sent with all the details of flights available.

Payments can be made online or via the call center with a credit card, or at any 7-Eleven nationwide featuring Counter Service Plus, at Siam Commercial Bank ATMs (for SCB account holders), Krung Thai Bank ATMs (for Krung Thai account holders), or at any Nok Air airport counter.

Nok Air has 5 daily flights to Chiang Mai, 4 daily flights to Udon Thani, 3 daily flights to Hat Yai and 2 daily flights to Phuket, with further Thai and regional destinations to be added later in the year. Operating on Boeing 737-400s, each with a capacity of 150, the Nok Air planes stand out with their dynamic style and colors, as they have the look of a real 'Nok' (Thai for bird).

Bangkok Airways seeks 18 jets to tap more regional growth

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Bangkok Airways, Thailand's largest largest privately owned carrier, is taking steps to become a fully fledged regional airline by adding up to 18 new jetliners and expanding its flight route to promising new destinations such as India and Japan.

The heart of the strategy is the acquisition of six new wide-body medium-range airliners _ either Boeing 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350s _ which will be instrumental in the airline's plan to fly more passengers to more distant destinations.

Both the Boeing 787 and A350 are much larger than the largest aircraft now in its fleet _ the A320, a twin-engine jet that can carry 162 passengers a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,600 km). The twin-aisle Boeing 787 can fly 223 passengers over 8,500 nautical miles.

The plan calls for gradually raising the size of its fleet and aircraft size, now comprising 18 narrow-body airplanes including four Boeing 717-200s and two Airbus 320-232s, to 36 by the 2012.

Discussing the strategy in an interview, Bangkok Airways chief executive Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth said the carrier would continue to pursue the plan to raise its seat capacity by 30% per year despite the recent surge in oil prices, which some analysts believe will have a serious impact on the global economy and air travel.

He noted that world airline traffic was continuing to increase even though fuel prices and, in some cases fares, were rising, and expressed confidence that this trend would continue in the future.

According to Dr Prasert, toward the end of the year, the airline will decide whether to add either the A350 or Boeing 787 (with a catalogue price of about US$120 million) to its fleet. A crucial factor will be the manufacturer's ability to supply two medium-sized aircraft of existing models to Bangkok Airways next year to enable it to begin longer-haul routes, before these two new generation jetliners roll out, in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

That means Boeing will need to provide its 767 model while Airbus will have to supply two A330s to the Thai carrier.

Two A320s will be added to the fleet this year, one this month and one in December, while two additional B717s, which can carry 125 passengers a maximum range of 1,050 miles, are scheduled to join the fleet at the end of the year.

The airline plans to phase out B717s from its fleet by 2009 when their leases expire and substitute A320s, especially for flights to Koh Samui.

The 36-year old carrier is set to offer its longest flight service in December with the launch of three flights a week on the Bangkok-Hiroshima route. It is also considering a second port of call in Japan.

Bangkok Airways, which will be among nine international carriers flying to the Hiroshima airport, is looking to use the service attract more Japanese leisure travellers to Thailand.

The airline is now looking into providing services to destinations in India next year such as Calcutta and Bombay. It also plans to operate two new routes from Koh Samui, to Kuala Lumpur and Trat.

Thai Sky Airlines uses Hong Kong base to take off in the region

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Thailand-based Thai Sky Airlines has set up an office in Hong Kong overseeing sales and marketing of the airline’s new services to regional travellers – the airline’s first base outside of Bangkok.

It joined the Hong Kong aviation market by launching its first flight between Bangkok and Hong Kong earlier this year. Starting 15 July, the Airlines will serve four flights between Bangkok and Hong Kong weekly.

The General Manager of Thai Sky Airlines Co, Ltd, Mr Freeman So said, “We see tremendous business opportunities and room for growth in the Asian region, especially in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Mainland China. With the booming economy and growing affluence of regional travellers, we expect the aviation market pie to expand for both business and leisure travellers.”

Mr So discussed the advantages of Hong Kong for Thai Sky. He said, “With its strategically central location, Hong Kong provides the ideal base for airlines. Our customers can fly to most of the Asian region in five hours or less. In addition, the vibrant tourism industry here offers a readily available market for our services. The city’s excellent infrastructure, particularly Hong Kong International Airport, and the opportunity to establish contacts with a large number of local and foreign media and marketing channels make Hong Kong a great investment destination”.

According to Mr So, Thai Sky Airlines positions itself as a “low fare airline.” It enhances its competitiveness by offering a full range of services – such as hot meals, newspapers and magazines and reserved seating -- which are not usually available on budget airlines. The airfare is comparable to that of budget airlines.

The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, warmly welcomed the addition of Thai Sky Airlines to the aviation community in Hong Kong.

He said, “Its investment here further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as the aviation hub of choice in Asia. Our excellent multilingual workforce can facilitate recruitment of local staff by international airlines. The new direct flights offer travellers more choice when flying between Bangkok and Hong Kong, one of the most popular routes in the region, thus boosting our tourism industry. We look forward to Thai Sky’s continuing expansion from the Hong Kong base and wish the airline every success.”

Thai Sky Airlines has plans to buy more aircraft and apply for listing in Thailand and Hong Kong. It launched another flight between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in May and will start a flight to Taipei at end of July this year. Thai Sky expects to expand its destinations to Seoul, India, and Mainland cities in future.

Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here.

End/Wednesday, 29 June, 2005

Phuket flight services picking up

PHUKET: In moves that appear to signal a revival of tourist confidence in Phuket, several airlines have begun boosting their regional services to Phuket or have announced plans to do so soon.

Orient Thai resumed its daily Phuket-Hong Kong-Phuket service on July 15, and has announced that it will operate chartered flights between Phuket and the South Korean cities of Inchon and Busan every Thursday and Sunday, from October 2 to December 5.

Dragonair, which only recently canceled its direct Phuket-Hong Kong service and closed its office in Phuket, has inked a deal with six Hong Kong travel agencies to fly charters from Hong Kong. The first is due tomorrow (July 23), with the others being on July 26 and 30, and on August 2, 6 and 9.

Thai Airways International has annouced that it will operate an extra two flights a week between Phuket and Inchon from August 10, while China’s Xiamen Airlines will launch a charter service to Phuket from August 18.

Suwalai Pinpradab, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Phuket, said, “It is a good sign for Phuket’s tourism. Dragonair will launch its chartered service first. If that is successful, it will probably resume regular flights in the near future.”

She described occupancy rates in Phuket hotels for the remainder of July and for August as “satisfactory”. However, she added that the TAT needed to push for more Thai tourists to come to Phuket in September and October.

K. Suwalai also noted that bookings from Europe for November and December are currently down by 40%-50% compared with the same period last year.

However, she added, “We are nearly 100% booked for December 26 to 30 by people who will take part in events commemorating the tsunami in Phuket.”

Thai Sky Airlines uses Hong Kong base to take off in the region

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:) Nok means Bird in Thai.

the painting is funny. with the nose of a bird.

i think it's funny to see fly it.

Local carriers beef up fleets to tap demand

Travellers undeterred by soaring fuel costs

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Thai airlines spearheaded by Orient Thai Airlines and Bangkok Airways are adding about 25 aircraft to their fleets to consolidate capacities and cope with increasing numbers of air travellers who appear undeterred by soaring fuel prices.

Many local airlines will be expanding their networks as early as the imminent high tourist and holiday seasons, amid signs that demand will continue to rise.

The most spectacular short-term increase in aircraft is by the national carrier Thai Airways International, which will add 11 high-capacity, medium- to long-haul jetliners between 2005 and the end of the 2006 fiscal year, to support its growing international operations.

Orient Thai Airlines, which also flies regional and domestic services, is currently acquiring a fleet of eight used MD-80 twin-jet aircraft from Continental Airlines as part of a fleet revamp that will phase out two aging Boeing 747 jumbo jets.

Bangkok Airways is adding two new twin-engine Airbus A320s this year, one at the end of this month, and will then further increase its fleet with two more Boeing 717-200s, expected to join the airline next year.

Budget carrier Thai AirAsia is purchasing its seventh and eighth Boeing 737-300s to augment its all-737 fleet next month and in October.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive of Orient Thai, said the first two 172-seat MD-80s are due to start operating on two new domestic routes of its budget airline One-Two-Go _ from Bangkok to Surat Thani and to Ubon Ratchathani _ on Friday, with two more MD-80s expected before the end of the year.

The other four MD-80s are to join the airline's fleet some time next year. Two of the airline's eight Boeing 747 jumbo jets will be phased out later this year.

As part of its revamped aircraft lineup, the airline's three 200-seat Boeing 757s, used on One-Two-Go domestic routes, will fly Orient Thai's regional routes including those linking Bangkok to Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Seoul.

Orient Thai's other international operations are served by the 747 jumbo jets.

Bangkok Airways' third and fourth A320s fit into the airline's plan to increase flights on existing domestic and regional routes and to add a new service to what will be its furthest destination, a non-stop from Bangkok to Hiroshima scheduled to commence in December.

The 36-year-old carrier is also looking to provide services to India _ Calcutta and Bombay _ next year when its fifth and sixth 717s are scheduled to arrive. The airline also has nine, 70-seat ATR72 propeller-driven airliners.

Thai AirAsia's two Boeing 737-300s are key to its plans to start scheduled services from Bangkok to Phnom Penh and to Hanoi this year, as well as possible increases in frequencies on existing domestic and regional routes, said airline executives.

The 11 new aircraft to be added to the THAI fleet are mostly Airbus 340 and Boeing 777 models.The national carrier plans to add five new destinations in the next one to three years: Moscow, Johannesburg, Berlin, Manchester and Sendai in Japan.

Scheduled flights to Moscow and Johannesburg are to start in November and December, respectively, while flights to the three other cities will begin next year and in 2007. THAI is also looking at starting services to Hiroshima, Japan and Lhasa, Tibet.

The other Thai carriers _ PB Air, the no-frills airline Nok Air, Phuket Air and Air Andaman _ have not announced any plans increase their aircraft.

AIRLINE IN CRISIS: THAI outlines its route back to profitability

Published on August 18, 2005

Somchainuk promises a quick turnaround. Thai Airways International (THAI) will cut back on loss-making routes, restructure foreign operations, focus on corporate sales and improve services in an effort to turn its books around over the next three months.

Somchainuk Engtrakul, the airline’s director and acting interim chief, yesterday outlined the broad measures to reduce costs and improve earnings for the airline, which suffered a huge Bt4.77-billion loss in its fiscal third quarter that ended in June.

He said THAI would postpone flights to Johannesburg. Also, its plan to fly direct to Los Angeles will be put on hold, with flights continuing to stop over in Japan. Other connecting destinations will also be scrapped, such as the Bangkok-Brisbane-Auckland route, which will be cut back to Bangkok-Brisbane. The Bangkok-Sydney-Melbourne route will now be Bangkok-Sydney direct and the Bangkok-Singapore-Denpasar will instead become a direct Bangkok-Singapore route, he added.

All loss-making domestic routes will be handed over to its low-cost subsidiary, Nok Air. Moreover, instead of using larger aircraft, THAI plans to bring in two ATRs to help reduce costs.

Somchainuk did not elaborate on specific domestic routes that the airline was losing money on.

Somchainuk has been assigned by THAI’s board to take over as president from Kanok Abhiradee, in order to salvage operations. THAI is facing huge losses from higher oil prices, rising fixed-personnel costs and poor marketing.

Somchainuk has been given a mandate by the board to restore the airline’s balance sheets within three months and ensure that the airline becomes profitable by the fourth quarter, which ends in October.

However, Somchainuk was not clear as to how he would deal with the airline’s skyrocketing fixed-personnel costs, which soared by Bt4 billion in the third quarter alone. But he admitted that THAI was overstaffed.

Somchainuk said Kanok would focus on increasing corporate sales. By the middle of next month, Kanok hopes to sign up 20 corporate customers, in order to boost THAI’s business-class operations.

In regard to foreign operations, Somchainuk will introduce drastic new measures to cut back on staff. For example, the Los Angeles operation - currently run with 53 staff - will be reduced by half. Other loss-making foreign offices will face similar cuts.

THAI will also introduce a real-time accounting system, to cross-check sales and accounts at its foreign sales offices. The airline’s headquarters currently only receives financial reports from its sales offices abroad 45 days after transactions have been made.

Somchainuk also insisted that THAI would not delay receipt of two Airbus 340 aircraft scheduled for delivery this November and next January.

Suchart Sritama

The Nation

Thai budget airline expands services into Vietnam

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Budget carrier Thai AirAsia is going ahead with its plans to expand flights from central Vietnam to Asian destinations after obtaining a license for the Bangkok-Hanoi route.

Thai AirAsia, an affiliate of the Malaysian no-frills carrier AirAsia, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the authority of central Phu Yen province to prepare for the plan.

Tuy Hoa Airport in the province will be upgraded up to international standards this year.

The carrier will launch its maiden flight on the Bangkok-Hanoi route with seven weekly flights starting on September 15, according to Vietnamese aviation officials.

Singapore’s budget airline Tiger Airways sparked the race of discount flights in Vietnam, and Malaysian budget airlines are also looking to join the Vietnam market.

(Source: Nguoi Lao Dong - Compiled by Thanh Hang)

Phuket Airlines clears airport bills to free impounded jet

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Phuket Airlines yesterday settled bills for about $250,000 in cash at the main airport in Seoul and received permission to fly out a jumbo jet seized and impounded for eight days when the service fees accumulated, an airline executive said.

The airline cleared the bills for airport, catering, fuel and hotel accommodation on behalf of a South Korean firm that had chartered the Boeing 747-300 from Phuket Airlines and was responsible for paying International Airport Corp, which runs the Incheon airport.

``The problems are now resolved among all parties involved and our jumbo jet should be able to return to our Bangkok base [this] evening,'' Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut, executive vice-president of Phuket Airlines, told the Bangkok Post in a telephone interview from Seoul last night.

The South Korean charter company, which Capt Chawanit did not name, met financial difficulties when tourist traffic between Thailand and Korea during the recent holiday season, plummeted after the Dec 26 tsunami, and left empty seats on the jumbo jet.

The agent had expected that Korean tourists would resume travelling to Thailand starting in June when it chartered the jet, but they did not.

South Korean arrivals at Bangkok International Airport contracted by 21.7% to 209,874 in the first five months of this year, according to figures complied by the Immigration Bureau.

Capt Chawanit said Phuket Airlines sympathised with its Korean charter customers, and did not intend to sue the company, especially since the airline is trying to recover its reputation following suspension of its flights to Amsterdam and London over aircraft safety concerns.

``But we are seeking some compensation from the (South Korean) company for losses incurred,'' he added.

The Aug 10 flight to Korea was the last under the charter contract, he said.

``We grounded the plane because there were doubts whether vendors and the airport would receive overdue payments after Phuket Airlines' last flight,'' said an official at International Airport Corp.

Phuket Airlines will deduct the fees it paid to Incheon airport authorities from the $1-million deposit made by the charter company, said Capt Chawanit.

Bangkok Airways (PG), Asia's unique Boutique Airline and Best Asia Regional Airline World Airline Award Winner 2005 (from Skytrax) is now represented in New Zealand by Airline Marketing New Zealand Ltd.

The airline is probably best known for its key role in the development of tourism to Samui, arguably one of the loveliest islands in the Gulf of Thailand , where Bangkok Airways actually constructed its own airport in 1989, fully equipped to the highest safety standards and with unique architecture that blends with the surrounding tropical environment. The airline currently provides up to 12 round trip flights daily from Bangkok , thereby saving a 14 hour trip by conventional road and ferry. Due to the popularity of Samui, Bangkok Airways recently introduced direct flights from Singapore and Hong Kong, both convenient ‘gateways' for New Zealand travellers, in addition to Bangkok .

Unlike other low-cost carriers in the Region, with their emphasis on ‘no-frills' service, Bangkok Airways has transformed itself into “ Asia's Boutique Airline ” offering boutique airports and lounges, appetizing meals on every flight, gracious Thai hospitality and a modern colourful fleet with services to over 20 destinations, including international routes to the cultural gems of Siem Reap and Phnom-Penh in Cambodia and Luang Prabang in Laos.

To further assist visitors in getting around Thailand, Bangkok Airways has introduced a ‘Discovery Airpass' offering a minimum of three and a maximum of six flight coupons at the bargain rate of US$50.00 per coupon. The pass can be expanded to include sectors on Bangkok Airways international network, Siem Reap Airways, and Lao Airlines to points in Cambodia and Laos at the rate of US$80.00 per coupon and to points in China at the rate of US$150.00 per coupon.

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Phuket Air lays off 300 after huge losses
Published on August 31, 2005


With revenue losses estimated at Bt500 million, Phuket Airlines has laid off about 300 employees since April.A sharp rise in fuel costs and bad timing in the expansion of flights to foreign destinations like London and Amsterdam have been blamed as the main factors behind the carrier’s financial woes.

Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut, executive vice president of the airline, said the steep rise in fuel prices had increased operating costs 30-40 per cent, while the airline had to pay fixed costs on aircraft leases, office rents and staff salaries.

Last year, Phuket Air posted a loss of Bt300 million.

The drastic staff cutbacks have reduced its workforce by a third, to 600 employees.

The airline has also introduced further cost-saving measures, such as closing its offices in Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi and reducing the space it rents at Don Muang International Airport. The airline will instead beef up its direct-sales operations, including Internet-based bookings.

Yesterday, Chawanit sought help from Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) after France’s Civil Aviation Authority barred Phuket Air and five other international carriers from entering French airspace, because of increased safety concerns in the wake of several plane crashes worldwide in the past month.

Chawanit said Phuket Air had been certified as safe by the DCA and that it had been operating without any technical problems on its aircraft since April, after the carrier solved disagreements with British and Dutch aviation authorities.

One airline source said Phuket Air had obtained rights to fly into France but that the safety concerns raised by the French authorities were hampering the Thai carrier from doing so. Phuket Air’s plans to extend its routes to Moscow this year and Sydney early next year might also have to be postponed, because of the financial difficulties.

To lessen the financial backlash from sky-high oil prices, the airline recently increased its fuel-surcharge rate to customers by Bt610 per round trip on domestic and Bt1,040 on international routes. “This saves the airline Bt20 million a month in operating costs,” explained Chawanit.

The airline currently operates three domestic routes – between Bangkok and Buri Ram, Mae Sot and Ranong – and one regional route between Bangkok and Rangoon.

Chawanit said the airline was planning to boost operations during the current high season by increasing its flights to Mae Sot and Ranong from the current five per week to seven. It will also add two more flights to its current seven per week to Buri Ram.

Phuket Air is considering adding a flight between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani three times a week in October, while doubling the weekly flights between Bangkok and Rangoon to four a week.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

Bangkok Airways offers Internet rate to Samui at 330 SGD
Wednesday, 7 September 2005

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Bangkok Airways recently issued an Internet fare of 330 SGD for a return ticket on Singapore-Samui route at until December 15 th, 2005.

Also offered for this route is the one-way deal of 165 SGD on www.bangkokair.com. To facilitate the passengers, the airline is adding another flight on Saturdays beginning October 1 st onwards. As a result, Bangkok Airways will operate Singapore-Samui vv. service everyday except on Tuesdays.

Leaving Singapore at 20.10 pm, the arrival to Samui is at 20.50 pm. The return sector leaves Samui at 16.40 pm to arrive in Singapore at 19.20 pm. This route operates with 120-seat Boeing 717-200.

Malév and Bangkok Airways signed a sales agreement

/noticias.info/ Malév and Bangkok Airways signed a sales agreement, to the effect which passengers of Malév flights to Bangkok can continue their trip from the Thai capitol on Bangkok Airways’ flights to the popular resorts and cities of Thailand and Cambodia holding a single Malév ticket, bought at reduced rate.

2nd of December Malév re-launches its scheduled Budapest-Bangkok direct flight. The new flight offers favourable connections to Bangkok Airways scheduled flights from the Thai capitol to the most beautiful and the most popular resorts and to the famous historical cities of the neighbouring Cambodia. To fly by the two airlines only one ticket is necessary. The competitive prices and the convenient travel conditions are guaranteed by the contract between Malév and Bangkok Airways for legs operated by Bangkok Airways. The privileges of the cooperation will be enjoyed by private passengers and also by those travelling with organised groups, whether they choose a definite destination or they prefer to take round trips. With only one single transfer in Bangkok such destinations as Phuket, Krabi, Trat, Samui, or Siem Reap, and Phnum Pénh can easily be reached. Malév passengers in Bangkok can enjoy the hospitality of the stylish, elegant lounges of Bangkok Airways during the stopover.

Malév’s Bangkok flight makes much easier to get to Thailand as there is no need to transfer somewhere in Europe, and wait long hours, not to mention the extra cost, which considering the airport taxes means at least an average saving of HUF 20.000. Tickets for the Budapest-Bangkok flight can be booked from HUF 169.900. There is also a possibility to break the journey in the Thai capitol free of charge.

The idea is that the co-operation between the two airlines will be successful and long-term. The contract that expires 30 September 2006 can be prolonged.

Dr. János Gönci Malév CEO emphasised: ‘The signing of the contract is the beginning of the successful co-operation between the two airlines in the long run. Launching a flight in Bangkok results a new hub in Malév’s route network which can be continuously extended not only towards the popular Thai resorts but also towards the Far-East regions and Australia’.

Varong Israsena, European Manager of Bangkok Airways in Europe said: ‘We are very pleased with this agreement though the real winners unquestionably, will be our passengers.’

Upon arrival of Malév flight transit passengers will be waited and escorted to the national terminal by ground staff if there is less than two hours between the flights. Further privilege is that with one single Malév ticket passengers can enjoy the same services as the region’s acknowledged boutique airline, Bangkok Airways’ own passengers. The slogan could easily be: exclusive services on low cost fares for everyone’.

Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air may enter India
NEELASRI BARMAN
Posted online: Saturday, October 08, 2005 at 0016 hours IST

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MUMBAI, OCT 7: Thailand-based Nok Air is considering to enter the Indian market in 2006, and is looking for a tie up with a low- cost carrier here. Nok Air is a low- cost airline registered under Sky Asia Co, a joint venture between public and private investors. The carrier started operations in Thailand in July 2004.

Nok Air to launch 'Nok Air Check and Shop service' in Chiang Mai
24 November 2005


Nok Air, a Thailand-based low cost airline, is collaborating with Central Pattana in launching “Nok Air Check and Shop service”. The new service allows Nok Air’s passengers to check-in at the Nok Air Shop at Central Airport Plaza, offering more shopping time and less airport waiting time.

With “Nok Air Check and Shop service”, passengers can check-in from the shop and spend less time waiting at the airport. Travellers can browse through Nok Air merchandise, sit and relax in the shop, receive various exclusive discount vouchers from participating stores, or choose to stroll around the Central Airport Plaza in Chiang Mai where the Nok Air shop will be located. Moreover, the shop also serves as a counter for purchasing Nok Air tickets.

The “Nok Air Check and Shop service” will begin operations on 1 December 2005. Passengers traveling from Chiang Mai will be able to then enjoy extended time at Central Airport Plaza by checking in at the Nok Air Check and Shop on the ground floor of Kadluang Airport Zone at Central Airport Plaza. After checking in at the shop, Nok Air’s passengers can relax and enjoy free time in the plaza. Thirty to fifty minutes prior to the departure time (depending on the flights), there will be vans from Hertz, transporting the passengers from the Plaza to the Airport where they will then board the plane as usual.

THAI to reduce Bangkok-Trang fights
Published on Jan 21 , 2006

Thai Airways International will reduce its flights between Bangkok and Trang from seven trips a week to two only and assign its low-cost Nok Air airline to fly on the route instead.

THAI deputy managing director Wasing Kittikul said the reduction of THAI flights for the route was necessary as the airline had been accumulating loss for Bt60 million a year.

He said THAI would maintain only two trips on Fridays and Sundays but specific time of the flights would have yet to be specified.

To compensate for the reduced trips, Nok Air, a subsidiary of THAI, would increase the number of flight on the Trang route from seven to nine trips a week, he said.

Bangkok Airways suspends IPO plan
By Lan Anh Nguyen 24 January 2006 14:55


Bangkok Airways has put on hold its plan to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand as tough competition in the airline industry and higher fuel prices have resulted in lower than expected earnings.

“Since the end of 2003, fuel prices have skyrocketed and that has jeopardized our IPO [initial public offering] plan,” said Thavatvong Thanasumitram, Bangkok Airways’ senior vice president of finance. The company still plans to list on the bourse, but higher jet fuel costs “do not really guarantee our success” at this time, he said.

“We’ll feel more comfortable offering [stock to the public] if we have better results,” Thavatvong said.

Despite the fuel price hikes last year, Bangkok Airways has managed to make a profit, although it did not meet expectations, according to Thavatvong.

The country’s second-largest carrier, however, is still taking bold steps to further expand its international routes. Earlier this month, Bangkok Airways decided to buy six Airbus A350s, delivey of which will begin in 2012. It said it would use the aircraft for long-haul flights to Europe.

Airbus will help Bangkok Airways find financing for the purchase, as stipulated in the deal. The financing structure for the purchase has not been decided yet. It will start paying for the aircraft in 2009, Thavatvong said.

“We felt that we would be in a better position with an early decision,” Thavatvong said of the purchase.

Bangkok Airways dubs itself a boutique airline, and flies mainly to tourist destinations in Thailand and other Asian countries. About 75 percent of its customers are Europeans traveling on package tours. The airline said within the next five years it would launch long-haul routes to European cities.

“Our expansion plan depends a lot on the situation in the tourism industry,” said ML Nandhika Varavarn, Bangkok Airways’ vice president of corporate communications. “If everything goes right, then we’ll expand... But we will focus on Asian destinations before going elsewhere.”

The airline is spending between 250 and 300 million baht to upgrade Koh Samui airport, which is seeing an increase in the number of tourist arrivals, but has a runway that can accommodate aircraft no bigger than a Boeing 717. Nandhika said the new terminal, expected to open in August, will be able to service up to 150 passengers at a time.

Bangkok Airways is also investing three billion baht in projects at Suvarnabhumi airport.

In November, it launched its Bangkok-Hiroshima route, which has remained unprofitable with an average cabin factor of 30-40 percent. However, the airline said it expected that the route would not be profitable for at least a few months.

Bangkok Airways is still looking to open another route to a Japanese city this year. The airline is majority-owned by Prasert Prasarttong-osoth, the founder and chief executive, and members of his family. The company’s assets include three airports and a catering service.

Nok Air to launch daily flights between Bangkok and Trang in Southern Thailand
27 January 2006


Thailand's Nok Air is to launch flights to Trang, further expanding its steadily growing Thailand network.

Adding to its 5 existing destinations of Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Udon Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nok Air will operate a daily flight from Bangkok to Trang from 1 February 2006.

Khun Viratnkul Sivapetchranat, Vice President Customer Service of Nok Air, said “We are very excited about adding Trang as our latest destination, along with our 5 existing routes. Trang is one of Thailand’s truly undiscovered hideaways. Secluded beaches, tropical islands, clear water and towering cliffs. It is a splendidly scenic place, amazingly well endowed with natural beauty, and Nok Air is thrilled to have the chance to serve those traveling in and out of this stunning province.”

For passengers flying between 1 February and 31 March 2006, the price will range from THB1,550 to THB2,450 net one way for all flights.

A Nok Air plane makes emergency landing
Published on Feb 05 , 2006



An airliner of Nok Air with 110 passengers made an emergency landing at the Don Muang Airport Sunday afternoon minutes after taking off.

Officials from the Control Tower said the DD 7506 flight of Nok Air heading to Bangkok made the emergency landing at 2 pm after taking off at 1:40 pm.

None of the 110 passengers were severely injured, the officials said.

^^ cause?

^^ cause?


Nok Air Flight in Emergency Landing
5 February 2006


Nok Air Flight DD7506 was forced to make an emergency landing Sunday afternoon at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport. All 110 passengers and 5 crewmembers are safe, with only two minor injuries incurred during the emergency disembarking procedures.

The Nok Air flight left Bangkok at 13:48 for Phuket. All take off procedures were normal and without incident. Upon reaching an altitude of 1500 feet a noise was heard from the right wing, which required investigation. The right wing engine then lost power and the Captain made the decision to return to Bangkok.

Following set guidelines and procedures the Captain climbed to 3000 feet and then brought the plane down for a smooth landing. Upon touch down there were apparent issues with the brake system and the plane went off the end of the runway as it came to a stop. At this point the Captain turned the plane to the left so that it would come to rest on a grassy area, thus insuring the safety of the passengers. Following safety procedures the plane was evacuated via the door slide.

The causes of these technical issues are now under investigation.

Nok Air increases frequency on Bangkok/Chiang Mai route with code share agreement with Thai Airways International
10 February 2006


From 13 February 2006, Nok Air is increasing the frequency of flights on its Chiang Mai route to up to 14 flights per day with its code share agreement with Thai Airways International.

Adding to its 4 existing flights per day on the route, Nok Air signed a code share agreement with Thai Airways International which allows it to increase its services to the northern capital.

“Nok Air is very pleased to be increasing its flights to Chiang Mai, with the code share agreement with Thai Airways International. This means that Nok Air’s passengers will benefit from this agreement as services will be available nearly every hour”, said Patee Sarasin, CEO of Nok Air.

The code share flights offers standard benefits normally provided by Thai Airways International except for the redemption of THAI mileage collection. Passengers can reserve these flights through all the normal channels provided by Nok Air, but check-in will be at the THAI check-in counters and the code share flights will be on THAI aircraft.