Bangkok--Sep 6--THAI’s Bangkok
United Nations (UN) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have contracted Thai Airways International (THAI) to fly their officials for meetings held across Southeast Asia region on an annual travel budget of more than US$1 million.
The deal is a result of THAI’s Bangkok-New York route, which is expected to greatly boost investment, tourism, and add values to the economy of the country, according to Mr. Wallop Bhukkanasut, Vice president Sales and Distribution Department at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited.
He said international organizations UN and IMF, headquartered in New York, spend around US$1.5 million a year to fly their officials for meetings in the region. The annual deal has officially been awarded to THAI.
Other agencies and organizations from the United States and Europe are preparing to sign up with the national carrier: Merrill Lynch (US’s JFK Airport to Bangkok, London-Bangkok, Zurich-Bangkok, Frankfurt-Bangkok); JP Morgan Chase, Tory Corp (New Jersey), Harvard Business Review, BASF, Chevron Texaco, Exxon Mobile Regional, Daimler Chrysler, Unilever, IBM Regional, Roache, Siemens, Ericsson.
The service deals are contributed by THAI’s expansion of flights from Bangkok directly to New York. The route has been operated since May. Since the past four months, it has been greatly successful with all flights fully booked.
Passengers choose the direct flights to other destinations of 42 cities in the United States. In the first month of the opening, passengers flied en route from New York to Miami, New Jersey, and several other cities.
“The contracts with organizations such as UN and IMF and with private agencies of the US have been a phenomenon. The route will generate huge revenue in the future because the US’s economy is strong and its population has high income.
THAI does not only benefit from the deals, but it will yield a great deal to the expansion of trade between Thailand the US, our tourism and investment, as well as exports. For the least, Thailand will be further recognized. There is no reason we should not focus the markets,” said Mr. Wallop.
He added that THAI plans to introduce Bangkok-Moscow flights by the end of this year to meet the demand of passengers.
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