THAI launches Airbus A380-800 maiden service

BANKGOK, October 6 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, started the maiden service of its newly-acquired Airbus A380-800, the world’s most innovative and largest commercial aircraft, to Hong Kong early Saturday morning with a warm welcome by international passengers. After presiding over the launching ceremony of the THAI first Airbus A380-800, flight TG 600, Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan told journalists that all the 507-seat plane, named Sri Ratana by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was fully booked, noting that advance booking for the airbus A380-800, which also provides services from Bangkok to Singapore, has continued impressively. THAI acting president Chokechai Panyayong, meanwhile, said that advance booking for the national airline's Airbus A380-800 plane for the Bangkok-Hong Kong route has been 75-80 per cent so far this month and for the Bangkok-Singapore route has been around 60-65 per cent. According to the acting THAI president, advance booking for the European route has been about 60 per cent, which is considered satisfactory and is expected to earn the national airline more revenues. THAI has purchased six Airbus A380-800s and the new superjumbo planes will begin to fly to Frankfurt and Paris in December 2012. The acting THAI president assessed that the ongoing economic slump in Europe should not seriously affect THAI’s revenues, as the company's new fleet of the world's most modern planes can save fuel by 3-5 per cent, compared to other types. Meanwhile, THAI Board Chairman Ampon Kittiampon acknowledged that on October 8, the national airline will sign an employment contract with newly-appointed THAI President Sorachak Kasemsuwan and on October 12, the THAI board will hold a meeting with the new president to give him policies, goals and marketing plans in order to drive ahead the national flag carrier to become a leader in the aviation sector of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the foreseeable future, amid growing competition. (TNA)