Bangkok--23 Jan--Thai AirAsia
Thai AirAsia, today announced its latest strategic initiative designed to strengthen its market capabilities and realign its focus on domestic connectivity. The initiative includes expansion into new lucrative destinations and realignment of existing routes.
The initiative will see Thai AirAsia withdrawing services between Bangkok and New Delhi as of 24 March 2012. Prior to the suspension, AirAsia’s, daily services for flight FD 3796 from Bangkok to New Delhi and FD 3797 from New Delhi to Bangkok will be reduced from seven days per week to four days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday , Sunday). This exercise will commence on 14th February 2012.
AirAsia will offer guests who hold bookings after these dates an alternative travel option at no additional cost to mitigate the inconvenience caused as a result of these route withdrawals. All affected guests will receive an e-mail stating options made available to them, including a full refund, or a credit shell option, which can be used to purchase AirAsia tickets. The credit shell will be valid for 90 days after date of issue.
The withdrawal are put in place to improve operating cost efficiencies and enable the low-cost carrier to focus on its goals of launching new international and domestic routes this year.
Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia said “This announcement highlights our commitment to the plan that was developed in our strategic review and are expected to provide improved business fundamentals and strengthen our expertise in core markets. We will be receiving additional new aircrafts this year which will be used to launch new routes and strengthen our existing popular routes with more flight frequency. In our first quarter alone, we have announced the launch of 3 routes including Trang and Nakhon Phanom in Thailand. As for our international route, we will be flying to Colombo, Sri Lanka starting on 1 March 2012.”
“India remains one of the most important destinations for us. However, high operational costs for the Bangkok-New Delhi route, combined with rising fuel prices are challenges to keeping our fares low, which is something we have always been committed to. As a result of these factors, it is necessary for us to suspend services between Bangkok and Delhi. We will ensure that all affected passengers will be taken care of”, added the CEO.
“We believe this initiative will strengthen our expertise and ability to win in key categories and key markets as well as continue to offer affordable travel options for everyone. We look forward to bringing more low fares and exciting new destinations to all of our passengers”, said Tassapon.
For more information, contact AirAsia Communications:
Krittiyawadee Pongpanich
[email protected]
Nuttawut Jitardharn
[email protected]
Piyasuda Archasantisuk
[email protected]