Bangkok--Nov 1--Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced the introduction of direct flights to be operated twice weekly non-stop on the route Bangkok — Islamabad v.v., utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft, effective as of 30 October 2005 onwards.
Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI’s Board Member Acting as President, said: “THAI will introduce direct flights routed Bangkok — Islamabad, Pakistan to its routenet during the beginning of the Winter Program 2005/2006. Flights to Islamabad add to THAI’s already strong dedicated service to the Middle East, making Islamabad the third destination served in Pakistan in addition to Karachi and Lahore. By serving Islamabad, THAI successfully expands service to dynamic growing markets in the Middle East.”
Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, said: “THAI’s flights to and from Islamabad will attract both leisure and business travelers. THAI will operate twice weekly flights routed Bangkok — Islamabad v.v., utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft, as follows: Flight TG509, Bangkok to Islamabad, will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing from Bangkok at 19.30 hours and arriving in Islamabad at 22.45 hours, landing at Islamabad International Airport. Flight TG510, Islamabad to Bangkok, will operate on Thursdays and Sundays, departing from Islamabad at 00.05 hours and arriving in Bangkok at 06.45 hours.”
With this schedule, THAI offers convenient flight connections in Bangkok for passengers traveling to/from Islamabad destined for travel to/from other destinations beyond Thailand, such as USA, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan. THAI is the first and only airline from the Southeast Asia region to operate into the capital of Pakistan.
Business and leisure travelers from Islamabad will be the focus market for travel conducted by local Pakistanis, Western, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese expatriates, especially employees of international organizations based in Islamabad and diplomatic missions in Kabul, Afghanistan. THAI plans to attract these target markets to spend their holidays in Thailand and/or Asian regional destinations with inclusive Royal Orchid Holiday packages. Outbound travel from Islamabad will also attract special interest groups such as medical tourism to Thailand.
Passengers traveling inbound into Islamabad will find interest in leisure travel through adventure tourism such as trekking and mountain climbing, culture, history, and heritage tourism, and nature tourism such as bird watching and wildlife along the mountainous areas of the Himalaya and Korakoram ranges.
Other market segments that will be served outbound from Bangkok and inbound from Islamabad include passengers who will visit family and relatives, traveling to and from Australia and North America. As well, THAI’s flights on this route will serve labor traffic to and from China and Southeast Asia.
Islamabad is the capital of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, located 14 kilometers northeast of its twin city of Rawalpindi, is situated against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills on the Potohar Plateau. The city of Islamabad is divided into eight zones: administrative, diplomatic, residential, educational, industrial, commercial, rural, and green areas.
The city of Islamabad is part of a major trading and invasion route that was used for centuries since 100 B.C. as a land route linking the East and the West. Therefore, leisure travel to Islamabad covers access to Pakistani tourist attractions such as the Korakoram Highway into China along a branch of the Silk Route; Taxila with rich artifacts from archeological finds concerning Buddhism, which is registered as a world heritage site by UNESCO; trekking among mountains of the Hindukush, Korakorams, and Himalayas which include world famous peak-K2, the ancient Indus civilization, and the route of Alexander the Great’s army in Northern Pakistan to India through the Khyber Pass, a strategic gateway since 326 B.C.
Islamabad Fact Sheet
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is located against the backdrop of Margalla Hills at the northern edge of Potohar Plateau. It is lush green, spacious and peaceful. The master plan of this most modern city was prepared in 1960 by M/S Constantions doxiades, a Greek firm of Architects. Construction was started in October 1961. The city came into life on 26 October 1966, when the first office building of Islamabad was occupied. It is modern and carefully planned city. There are ample opportunities for walking, jogging, hiking and trekking around Islamabad in the Margalla Hills
The nearby city of Rawalpindi has a much more ancient history. On the basis of archaeological discoveries, it is believed that a distinct culture flourished here as far back as 300,000 years. Based upon stone implements found in Soan Valley, researchers have revealed various aspects of primitive human existence. In more recent history, Rawalpindi was a major city during the Moghul and British periods.
Useful Data on Islamabad
- Population 512,933.
- Area 906 sq. km
- Elevation 494 to 610 meters above sea level
- Temperature:
Season Max. Avg. Min. Avg.
Winter (Oct-March): 16.7 C 3.4 C
Summer (Apr-Sept.): 34.2 C 24.4 C
Annual 28.9 C 14.4 C
THAI Flight Information
First Flight: 2 November 2005
Airport: Bangkok International Airport (BKK)
Islamabad International Airport (ISB)
* Route and Flight: TG509, BKK — ISB
Two weekly flights: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Departure BKK 19.30, Arrival ISB 22.45
Flight time 5.15 hrs
Aircraft: Airbus A300-600
* Route and Flight: TG510, ISB — BKK
Two weekly flights: Thursdays and Sundays
Departure ISB 00.05, Arrival BKK 06.45
Flight time 4.40 hrs
Aircraft: Airbus A300-600
Islamabad Key Attractions
City Attractions:
- Rose and Jasmine Garden
- Shakarparian hills
- Sh. Faisal Mosque
- Tarbela Dam (world’s largest earth-filled dam)
- Bazaar for shopping
- Margalla Hills (for trekking)
Eco and Adventure Opportunities in Northern Pakistan:
- Korakoram mountains including K2
- Himalayan mountains for trekking and climbing
- Korakoram Highway (KHH) : Silk Route Trail
- Remote destinations include: Gilgit and Chitral
Heritage / Cultural / Scenic & Nearby Attractions:
- Taxila : registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (35 km. from Islamabad)
- Gandhara culture, the meeting of Greek art and Buddhism
- Alexander the Great, Marco Polo and Genghis Khan trail via Khyber Pass
- Murree: nostalgic hill station from British times (64 km. from Islamabad)
Pakistan National Favorite Drink:
- Chai (Tea)
Pakistan National Popular Sport:
- Cricket
Most Famous Cricket Player:
- Imran Khan
Potential Passenger Segmentation
Inbound from Bangkok / beyond
- Business
+ International Organizations
+ Diplomatic Missions
+ Corporate (Thai, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
+ Trade and Commerce
- VFR (Visit Family & Relatives) : Pakistanis & Afghanis
+ from Australia & North America
- Leisure
+ Adventure Tourism (Trekking / Mountaineering)
+ Culture / History / Heritage Tourism
+ Nature Tourism (Bird watching, wildlife)
- Labor traffic
Destinations from China and Southeast Asia
Outbound to Bangkok / beyond
Message : Good Morning Bangkok
- Business
+ International Organizations (UN, UNHCR, WFP, Red Cross etc)
+ Diplomatic Mission Organizations
+ Corporate (Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
+ Trade and Commerce
- VFR (Visit Family & Relatives)
+ Destinations to Australia & North America
- Leisure
+ Local Pakistanis
+ Expatriate (Western, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
+ US military
+ Civilian security officers
+ International Aid Organization workers
- Labor traffic
+ Destinations to China and Southeast Asia especially Malaysia (due to an agreement between the government of Pakistan and Malaysia)
- Special Interest
+ Medical Tourism (inbound to Thailand)
For more information and for flight reservations, passengers may contact any area THAI Office worldwide, THAI’s Reservation Office at Tel. 0-2628-2000 and 0-2280-0060, 24 hours a day, or consult www.thaiairways.com. End.