Thai Airways International (THAI) unveils plans to extend its network to more international destinations during the forthcoming high season, aiming to draw in a larger influx of tourists.
The service expansion focuses on reinstating the route to Istanbul, a pivotal aviation link between Asia, Europe, and Africa, that was previously discontinued in 1994.
This decision came after THAI and Turkish Airlines sealed a memorandum of understanding earlier in August. Istanbul serves as a gateway for multiple continents, providing enhanced connectivity and convenience to passengers.
THAI Airway’s Prolific Expansion
According to THAI’s CEO, Chai Eamsiri, the newly reestablished route to Istanbul is set to begin operations in December, with the daily flight TG900, facilitated by an Airbus A350-900. Departing from Suvarnabhumi airport at 11.45pm, it will reach Istanbul at 6.05am local time.
In addition to Istanbul, new flights are in the pipeline to Oslo in Norway, Milan in Italy, and Sydney and Perth in Australia, adding a versatile range to THAI’s service destinations.
Mr. Chai remarked that a significant increase, approximately 75%, in the cabin load factor on flights from China is anticipated in the fourth quarter, driven by the visa-exemption scheme for Chinese citizens. This scheme is predicted to generate around 240 million baht in monthly revenues during the visa-free period, up till February 29 next year.
This visa exemption has triggered a wave of bookings on Chinese travel platforms like Ctrip and Tuniu. To handle the increased demand, THAI is scheduling daily flights to several cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, and Chengdu.
The airline is also focusing on enhancing its services to Japan, planning daily flights to Sapporo and Fukuoka, and augmenting Tokyo services from 21 to 28 per week. Additionally, charter flights to Sendai are being introduced, while Taipei will be facilitated with twice-daily flights from December 1.
In an attempt to intensify its footprint in Asia, THAI is amplifying the number of flights to Vietnamese cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from October 29 and introducing a new route to Kathmandu in Nepal from December 1.
This extensive network expansion by THAI is a meticulous strategy to tap into the bustling international tourist market, and by enhancing connectivity and offering varied destination choices, THAI is positioning itself as a preferred choice for international travelers.
This extensive and intricate network expansion is pivotal, symbolizing THAI’s resilient strategy to fortify its international footprint. By elevating connectivity and offering diverse destinations, it is ardently reinforcing its stance as a global aviation leader, poised to offer unparalleled services to international tourists.
