Bangkok--3 Mar--Thai Airways
2011 marks the beginning of a major expansion and innovation periodWith international tourism having strongly recovered in 2010 thanks to improved economic conditions worldwide, the world?s most important tourism fair “Internationale Tourismusb?rse” (ITB) taking place in Berlin on March 9-13 once more is a strong indicator for future trends and challenges.Asia being the first region to recover and the strongest growing region over the last year as stated by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) makes ITB’s large Asia Hall 26 a crowd-puller for both trade and public visitors. As in the past years Thai Airways International underscores its major role and importance in the Asian market as well as in global aviation with one of the biggest booths in the fair’s Asia hall measuring 116 square meters.2011 is an important year for the airline as it marks the beginning of one of its most dynamic periods of expansion and innovation. Over the next six years a decisive fleet expansion and upgrading will take place including delivery of up to 63 new jetliners of the latest and most fuel-efficient types — Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A330-300 and six super-jumbos A380-800 among them. The first A380 is scheduled to enter service on THAI?s major intercontinental routes in August 2012. Germany?s leading airport, Frankfurt, counts among the destinations that will be connected to Bangkok by an A380 service in foreseeable future, providing unrivaled comfort and flying experience to customers. THAI’s acquisitions will enable the carrier to replace older aircraft and operate greater frequencies across the network to cater for projected increased passenger and cargo demand.According to the theme “Experience our legendary services through your dream destination” Thai Airways International?s ITB booth highlights the carrier?s exceptional amenities in all classes of service and its comprehensive route network all over the globe. Designed in THAI?s brand colours purple, magenta and yellow and using a huge logo branded aircraft tail fin as additional eye-catcher, the booth combines a business and an information area as well as a demo seat area.The demo area features THAI?s new economy class seat including in-seat audio/video on demand, which is currently retrofitted on Boeing 747-400 and 777-200 aircraft. In line with the carrier’s long-term product development plans, six Boeing 747-400 will carry the new economy class seats by the end of 2011. This refurbishment is of major importance to the German market as the 747 is operated on THAI?s Frankfurt as well as on its Munich route.
The new seat will provide enhanced comfort to economy class travelers departing Germany, expanding the highly appreciated extensive seat pitch by adding a state of the art audio/video on demand system. Furthermore, passengers in all classes of service will benefit from an even more comprehensive in-flight entertainment choice on board, as the content will be increased from 48 to 100 movies, from 45 to 150 TV features and short documentaries, and from 80 to 500 music CDs. The implementation is planned to be finalized by July, 2011.Another expansion directly affecting the German market is an increase in intercontinental services to several popular destinations such as Brisbane and Auckland from summer 2011. This step will give travelers even more choice and flexibility and better connectivity for onward journeys beyond Bangkok.
During ITB, THAI will promote special ticket fares at very attractive prices — making people say “I fly THAI”, sub key message of the booth. From April 25 to June 22 and from August 15 to September 22, German holiday seekers can travel nonstop from either Frankfurt or Munich to Bangkok at fares starting from just 636 Euros. The beauty of Krabi can be discovered from 674 Euros, and Phuket?s outstanding beaches can be reached from 682 Euros. Tickets to Koh Samui are available from 697 Euros, to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from 727 Euros. From just 843 Euros customers can book flights to Denpasar, Bali, and from 1.054 Euros they can even fly Down Under, to Sydney. All these special fares are available for purchase between March 01 and April 30.Following the great success of the ITB party Thai Airways hosted on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in 2010, another special event will take place in the evening of March 09. Around 150 selected guests are expected to attend the function at Berlin?s stylish sky lounge Solar high above the city?s rooftops and enjoy an outstanding night with excellent Thai food, music and dance.Germany counts among THAI?s core markets with around 600,000 travelers having visited the country in 2010. Thai Airways International operates 21 non-stop flights per week from Germany to Bangkok: The carrier offers convenient double-daily service from Germany?s biggest airport, Frankfurt, and one daily flight from Munich to Suvarnabhumi Airport. On both routes Boeing 747-400 are operated providing 10 first class, 40 business class and 325 economy class seats. Thai Airways International?s global network covers more than 70 destinations on five continents including all the key destinations in Asia Pacific.
International Public Relations Department
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited
Tel : (662) 545-2662 / 2663 / 1711 / 4686 / 1705 / 2720
Fax : (662) 545-3891