Thai Air Asia to launch Bangkok flights from Delhi, Kolkata

From December one, the airline would operate four flights a week between Delhi and Bangkok and a daily service from Kolkata at all-inclusive one-way fares of Rs 4,500 and Rs 2,500 respectively, Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld told reporters here.

These low fares could trigger a price war between no- frill and full-service carriers operating between India and Thailand, as the outgo of Indian tourists to that country continues to grow leaps and bound. Thailand has been a major destination for Indian leisure as well as business travellers.

"We are aiming at having daily flights between Delhi and Bangkok, depending upon the seat availability agreement between the governments of both the countries," he said.
The no-frills carrier is planning to launch direct flights to Bangkok from 2-3 more Indian destinations, including Mumbai in next one year, Bijleveld said.

About the future plans of the company, the Thai AirAsia CEO said that the airline aims to have 8-10 per cent of its revenue coming from Indian operations in next 5 years.
Thai AirAsia has a fleet of 19 Airbus A320 aircraft and has placed a firm order of 21 more aircraft, he added.

According to estimates of Thailand Tourism, India ranked fourth this year on the list of foreign arrivals to the country, compared to being 11th last year. About six lakh Indians visited Thailand last year.

"Given that India has a substantial 300 million middle class population who can afford to travel, the number of 600,000 which travel to Thailand is pretty insignificant," said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, who was also present on the occasion.