Bangkok--26 May--Thai AirAsia Program to support airline’s expansion Thai AirAsia and the Civil Aviation Training Center have begun a project to produce aircraft mechanics to support the expansion of the airline’s fleet. Thai AirAsia is providing full scholarships for 30 aircraft mechanic cadets who have enrolled at the center. The project, called the Thai AirAsia Mechanic Cadet Program, will offer intensive training to all the 30 cadets for two years and eight months. The cadets will be employed by Thai AirAsia after their graduation. Only students with outstanding school grades and a keen interest in working with Thai AirAsia have been accepted as scholars in the program. Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, said, “When we placed our order of 40 Airbus A320 aircraft, we foresaw the expansion of our engineering department. We knew it was very important for us to continue to have very well trained aircraft mechanics who would strictly implement our safety-first policy. We also knew that with our fleet expansion, we would need more mechanics. We then planned to set up this program.” Police Major General Chookiat Prathipasen, acting governor of the Civil Aviation Training Center, said, “We are pleased that Thai AirAsia has chosen us to train its aircraft mechanic cadets. The course we have prepared for the cadets will train them very well in all dimensions about the Airbus A320. It will allow them to offer quality service to Thai AirAsia.” Thai AirAsia, which ordered 40 brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, is continually expanding its fleet. Thai AirAsia received on May 18 its fifth brand new Airbus A320 aircraft. Four more new Airbus A320 aircraft are scheduled for delivery this year, while another five new Airbus A320s will join the airline’s fleet next year. All 40 new Airbus A320 aircraft will be received by the airline by 2012. The growth in Thai AirAsia’s fleet is being driven by a growing demand for low-fare seats, especially among regional travelers. Thai AirAsia flies between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Narathiwat, Phuket, Ranong, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani. It also flies between Bangkok and the international destinations of Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta, Macau, and Shenzhen. It also has direct flights between Phuket and Singapore. Desi Bandal Corporate Communications Executive For International Public Relations Thai AirAsia Tel. no. +662 315 9811