Bangkok--4 May--Thai Airways
Today (4 May 2010), Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, THAI’s President, Mr. Pruet Boobphakham, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, and Mr. Chokchai Panyayong, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development Department, provided details of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s routenet and fleet adjustment and its tactical marketing plan to be in line with current situations.
THAI made these adjustments as a result of several issues that include: some reservation cancellations following volcanic eruption in Iceland and temporary closure of Euro airspace, political unrest in Thailand, and travel warnings on Thailand issued by 47 countries, reduced passenger travel during annual low season of May-June. During the month of April 2010, cabin factor was at 72.16 percent, whereby THAI made the following adjustments to its routenet and fleet, in addition to changes to its tactical marketing plan:
1. Changes in flights and aircraft type, due to travel demands:
a. European Market:
- Change in flight frequency and aircraft type on the roundtrip Bangkok-Athens by operating 3 flights per week utilizing Boeing 777-200ER, instead of 4 flights per week utilizing Boeing 777-300, effective 1 June 2010.
b. Indian Market:
- Flight reduction on the roundtrip Bangkok-Mumbai (Bombay) from 10 to 7 flights per week utilizing Boeing 777-300, effective 16 May 2010.
- Change in aircraft type on the roundtrip Bangkok-Mumbai (Bombay), TG317 and TG318, utilizing Boeing 777-300 aircraft instead of Boeing 777-200, effective 16 May 2010.
- Change in aircraft type on the roundtrip Bangkok-Delhi, TG315 and TG316, utilizing Boeing 777-200 instead of Boeing 777-300, effective 16 May 2010.
c. Middle East Market:
- Change in aircraft type on the roundtrip route Bangkok-Dubai, flight TG517 and TG518 from Airbus A340-600 to Boeing 777-200.
2. Change in routing, by focusing on Indonesia via Bangkok:
- Emphasis on routenet between Jakarta-Europe via Bangkok and increase flights on roundtrips routed Bangkok-Jakarta from 7 to 14 flights per week with a short connecting time to Europe via Bangkok. This flight is also convenient for passengers traveling between Jakarta and India via Bangkok.
- Emphasis on routenet between Europe-Bali via Bangkok with a change in flight schedule and aircraft type. Flights will depart from Bangkok earlier than normally scheduled, enabling the Company to transport more passengers from Europe and quick flight turnaround. Increase flights between Bangkok-Bali from 7 to 14 flights per week, with short connecting time to Europe via Bangkok. This flight is also convenient for passengers traveling between Bali and India via Bangkok.
3. Change in flight routing on Australasian routes:
- Operate roundtrip flights between Bangkok-Sydney at 14 flights per week utilizing Airbus A340-600 with flight connections to/from Europe and India.
- Temporarily suspend flights on the route Bangkok-Sydney-Brisbane-Bangkok.
- Increase roundtrip flights on the route Bangkok-Brisbane from 3 to 5 flights per week.
- Increase roundtrip flights on the route Bangkok-Auckland from 4 to 5 flights per week.
The above changes to the flight schedule may be changed according to the situation concerned.
Furthermore, THAI is offering special promotional fares for passengers traveling roundtrip domestic flights in Royal Silk Class and Economy Class on the routes: Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Chiang Rai, Bangkok-Khon Kaen, Bangkok-Udon Thani, Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok-Krabi, Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Surat Thani, Bangkok-Samui, Bangkok-Had Yai, and Chiang Mai-Phuket. Tickets may be issued during 1-31 May 2010 for travel during the period 1 May to 30 June 2010.