Bangkok--1 Jun--Thai Airways
TAP Portugal and Thai Airways International - members of Star Alliance — signed a commercial cooperation agreement encompassing code-share operations on select flights between Portugal and Thailand.
Through this code-share, effective on June 15, 2006, both THAI and TAP will market each other’ s flights connecting Lisbon and Bangkok via select European points.
With this code-share, TAP is now able to extend its operations to a new Asian destination, thus pursuing its strategy of increasing travel options made available to customers, while providing them with the most convenient services and added benefits resulting from a close cooperation with Star Alliance members.
THAI is pleased to be able to offer its passengers more choices and access to more destinations in Europe, as a result of this code-share agreement with TAP. This agreement will successfully aid in expanding connectivity into Lisbon, which will represent a new point of service to Portugal, made possible from THAI’ s connection with Star Alliance.
“Eight years after having discontinued our own operations to Bangkok, it is with great pleasure that we at TAP reinstate Bangkok as a destination in Asia, in cooperation with THAI”, said Mr. Jos? Guedes Dias, VP International Relations & Alliances, TAP Portugal. “It means a great deal for us in TAP to work together with THAI, our partner in Star Alliance, recognized worldwide for its excellent, courteous and unrivalled service. As this agreement enables the most convenient and direct connections possible between Portugal and Thailand, it will set the ground for further strengthening the commercial and cultural ties linking both countries, while positioning both Lisbon and Bangkok as key gateways into Europe and Asia, respectively.”
“THAI initiated this code-share agreement with TAP, following TAP officially joining Star Alliance, expanding connections from Bangkok to Lisbon, vice versa, from various destinations in Europe”, said Mr. Vasing Kittikul, Executive Vice President for Commercial, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. “This agreement reflects a great opportunity to expand THAI’ s network beyond the European gateway, connecting flights from Frankfurt and Zurich into Lisbon. Furthermore, this agreement will benefit passengers boarding flights in Portugal to Thailand, continuing their journey around Asia and China”.
About TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal is the leading Portuguese airline, which celebrated its 60th on March 14, 2005, the same day it also became a company-member of Star Alliance. Its Lisbon hub is a key European gateway at the crossroads of the African, North & South American continents, where TAP stands out as the leading European carrier operating to Brazil.
TAP ’s current Network comprises 46 destinations in 27 countries worldwide, with an even greater range of destinations served by code-share operations with a number of partner airlines. Thus, TAP offers customers an extended and high flexible choice while providing them with the most convenient scheduled flights and easy connectivity onto further distant cities. As of June, the company operates 200 daily flights in average on a modern fleet of 47 Airbus aircraft — the A-310’s; A-330’s & A-340’s on long haul and the A-319’s; A-320’s & A-321’s on medium haul.
TAP Portugal’ s New Corporate Image, launched on February 1st last year, was awarded the 2005 Best Branding and Re-branding, by the Portuguese specialized publication “Meios & Publicidade”, in May 2006. The TAP Victoria (FFP) Programme was also honoured by the Freddie Awards as the Programme of the Year; Best Redemption Award and Best Member Communications, in 2005. For more information on TAP Portugal please visit its Web site at: www.flytap.com .
About Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand. Founded in 1960, it operates domestic, regional and intercontinental flights. THAI flies to 74 destinations in 35 countries around the world. The company is 53.77% owned by the Thai Government through the Ministry of Finance. THAI has over 25,000 employees and a total of 87 aircraft in its fleet.
THAI’s philosophy is to provide full service to premium passengers, while maintaining its standard of service to leisure travellers. THAI aims to be the “First Choice Carrier with Touches of Thai”. The success of THAI is apparent through numerous customer surveys conducted by well-known institutions both within and outside Thailand, resulting in awards such as the Skytrax Award for Cabin Staff Service Excellence 2006. Safety is THAI’ s top priority and its maintenance standard is recognized by the Federal Avaition Administration (FAA) of the USA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
THAI is one of the founding members of Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth. More information on THAI is available at www.thaiairways.com .