Phuket NEWS:

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Thai AirAsia to add direct Hong Kong flights in June

PHUKET / BANGKOK: Thai AirAsia is planning to start direct flights between Phuket and Hong Kong in June and will push Phuket as a second hub in Thailand.

An executive of the budget airline said daily flights between the two cities would use new A320s, scheduled for delivery in June.

Phuket will be given more links with major destinations in Thailand and neighboring countries.

“We will beat rivals Silk Air of Singapore and Dragon Air of Hong Kong,” the executive said, noting that the number of tourists from Hong Kong to Phuket has been increasing as tourism recovers.

Phuket is crowded with tourists and Thai AirAsia flights to the island usually have full cabins, he said.

Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said the carrier is focusing on second-tier cities in emerging markets such as China and India and plans to add flights to such destinations.

Average load factor during the first two months had reached 78%, up from 76% in the same period last year, he said.

The figures show a tourism rebound after numbers dropped sharply due to airport closures in November and early December, Mr Tassapon said.

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