Thailand eyes to become regional hub of low-cost airlines

BANKGOK, February 13 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wants Thailand to become a hub of low-cost airlines in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the foreseeable future. Yingluck made her remarks during her meeting with Tony Fernandes, the group chief executive officer (CEO) of Malaysia-based low-cost AirAsia, at Bangkok's Government House on Wednesday, during which they discussed the potential of Thailand to be an ASEAN hub of low-cost airlines to support regional connectivity. Yingluck said that her government also supports the construction of Thailand's new airports in major tourist destinations and the development of existing airports in major provinces and cities to serve direct international flights, referring to existing airports in Chiang Mai in the North, Udon Thani in the Northeast and Krabi in the South. The prime minister also promised to expand air, road and rail transport systems to better connect Thailand with neighbouring countries, including China, India, Japan and Korea, noting that she has ordered Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt to discuss new flight routes with AirAsia for better connection to the neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the AirAsia CEO told the prime minister that his low-cost airline plans to increase its investment and flight services in Thailand, pointing out that the Kingdom is an important strategic location in ASEAN and has comparative advantages in regional tourism, especially after the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. The transport minister acknowledged that Thailand has comprehensive services for AirAsia, including aircraft maintenance and training of pilots and aviation engineers, and that AirAsia has agreed on his proposal on selling Thai food and other products aboard its flights. (TNA)