Bangkok--18 Dec--Thai Airways
Today (18 December 2009) at the Head Office of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, a Board of Directors Meeting was chaired by Mr. Ampon Kittiampon, THAI’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, with the following results:
THAI’s Operating Results for November 2009
THAI’s Board of Directors acknowledged the Company’s operating results for the month of November 2009. As a result of increased flight frequency in the Winter Programme to meet market and passenger demand, the Company attained ASK (Available Seat Kilometers) at 4.4 % higher than target and RPK (Revenue Passenger Kilometers) 1.1 % higher than target. The Cabin Factor was at 74.2%, lower than the average cabin factor budgeted at 76.7% with a yield higher than 2.1 Baht per kilometer. RFTK (Revenue Freight Ton-Kilometers) was 29.2 % higher than target due to recovering global economic recovery, resulting in increased domestic and international freight shipments and the Company having blocked space agreement with Southern Air Inc. Freight Load Factor was 62.1 %, which was higher than the budgeted average of 54.2%.
THAI and Nok Air Join Force to Boost Domestic Traffic
THAI’s Board of Directors approved of THAI’s cooperation with Nok Air. Nok Air will operate flights to some of THAI’s domestic destinations: Phitsanulok, Ubol Ratchathani, and Mae Hong Son, effective 1 March 2009 onwards. This cooperation will increase competitiveness of both airlines, and passengers will be able to take advantage of more convenient travel at low-fare prices while still maintaining THAI’s high safety standards. THAI has made careful studies thoroughly assessed the flight sectors concerned to prevent negative impacts on customers. Through THAI and Nok Air’s cooperation, passengers on these routes will continue to receive the same standard of services that they currently receive on THAI, such as: 1. Same flight frequencies — no less flights than previously operated by THAI, 2. Same standards of aircraft maintenance, and 3. Same cockpit crew standards
The Company has conducted a study on the performance of its domestic routes during the past 10 years, particularly on secondary routes, which was unprofitable for several years, but operations were sustained for the travelling public. However, in order to meet demands of a continually changing international airline industry, airlines across the world, including THAI, had to adjust their strategic planning on the recovering world economy: fluctuating world fuel prices that are on the rise, and Influenza A (H1N1), in order to surpass the financial crisis and further its business operations. The Company, therefore, had to establish its corporate strategy and make adjustment on its cost to meet increased competitiveness. Over the past 5 years, losses were incurred for operational results on flights to Phitsanulok at the average of 86.3 million baht per year, to Ubol Ratchathani at 74.9 million baht per year, and to Mae Hong Son at the average of 49.9 million baht per year.
THAI currently operates to the above destinations as follows:
Bangkok — Phitsanulok at 2 flights per day
Bangkok — Ubon Ratchathani at 3 flights per day
Chiang Mai — Mae Hong Son at 2 flights per day
5-Year Strategic Plan (2010-2014)
THAI’s Board of Directors approved Management’s 5-Year Strategic Plan (2010-2014), which will lead towards implementing Mission TG 100 for a strong and sustainable future through the next 50 years, aiming to become among the top 3 leading air carriers in Asia and among the top 5 airlines in the world within the next 2 years.
4. New Appointment of THAI’s Management
1. Mrs. Sunathee Isvarphornchai, THAI’s Special Activities Advisor, Office of the President, is appointed as THAI’s Vice President, Corporate Communications.
2. Mr. Pichai Chunganuwad, THAI’s Special Advisor, Office of the Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development Department, is appointed as THAI’s Managing Director, Cargo & Mail Commercial Department
The new appointments will be effective as of today (18 December 2009).
Press Release issued by M.L. Ajcharaporn Na Songkhla,
Director of Communications and Public Relations