ID :
67530
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 17:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/67530
The shortlink copeid
THAI AIRASIA TARGETS 5.2 MILLION PASSENGERS THIS YEAR
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, June 24 (Bernama) -- Thai AirAsia, a subsidiary of Malaysia's
AirAsia low-cost carrier, is confident of achieving its target of 5.2 million
passengers this year, despite several hicups, including political instabiity,
Influenza A(H1N1) and global economic recession.
Its chief executive officer, Tassapon Bijleveld, said the strong showing in
the first quarter of the year -- where the company posted a 15 to 20 per cent
growth as compared to the corresponding period last year -- had boosted their
confidence.
"This growth was achieved, despite the Songkran riot (anti-government
protests).
"But the market is weak currently, and we are doing our best to stimulate
the market with such initiatives," he said, after announcing its parent
company's move to waive the administration fee for passengers booking tickets
with the airlines.
Tassapon is hopeful that waiving the administration fee (100 baht in
Thailand) would boost ticket sales as passengers just needed to pay for ticket
fare and airport tax, which is 50 or 100 baht for domestic routes and 700 baht
for international flights departing from the Kingdom.
Last year, the airline carried 4.2 million passengers.
Tassapon said the Influenza A(H1N1) scare was affecting the market as the
number of passengers had dropped. To date, the Thai Public Health Ministry has
confirmed 985 such cases in the country.
"We hope to see signs of recovery within 60 days as people are cautious
now
because of the flu. But the key to travelling in Thailand is political stability
and fortunately it's good now," he said.
Tassapon said the Phuket and Bali sectors were among the best routes served
by the airline, adding that plans to make the island the second Thai hub after
Bangkok, was expected to materialise by the fourth quarter of the year.
On its expansion plan, Tassapon said they were finalising plans to open
several destinations in India and more cities in China, year end.
"We are aiming to tackle China and India as they are big markets. We intend
to do that once we receive more Airbus planes by the end of the year," he said,
adding that it currently had nine Airbus and six Boeings.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, June 24 (Bernama) -- Thai AirAsia, a subsidiary of Malaysia's
AirAsia low-cost carrier, is confident of achieving its target of 5.2 million
passengers this year, despite several hicups, including political instabiity,
Influenza A(H1N1) and global economic recession.
Its chief executive officer, Tassapon Bijleveld, said the strong showing in
the first quarter of the year -- where the company posted a 15 to 20 per cent
growth as compared to the corresponding period last year -- had boosted their
confidence.
"This growth was achieved, despite the Songkran riot (anti-government
protests).
"But the market is weak currently, and we are doing our best to stimulate
the market with such initiatives," he said, after announcing its parent
company's move to waive the administration fee for passengers booking tickets
with the airlines.
Tassapon is hopeful that waiving the administration fee (100 baht in
Thailand) would boost ticket sales as passengers just needed to pay for ticket
fare and airport tax, which is 50 or 100 baht for domestic routes and 700 baht
for international flights departing from the Kingdom.
Last year, the airline carried 4.2 million passengers.
Tassapon said the Influenza A(H1N1) scare was affecting the market as the
number of passengers had dropped. To date, the Thai Public Health Ministry has
confirmed 985 such cases in the country.
"We hope to see signs of recovery within 60 days as people are cautious
now
because of the flu. But the key to travelling in Thailand is political stability
and fortunately it's good now," he said.
Tassapon said the Phuket and Bali sectors were among the best routes served
by the airline, adding that plans to make the island the second Thai hub after
Bangkok, was expected to materialise by the fourth quarter of the year.
On its expansion plan, Tassapon said they were finalising plans to open
several destinations in India and more cities in China, year end.
"We are aiming to tackle China and India as they are big markets. We intend
to do that once we receive more Airbus planes by the end of the year," he said,
adding that it currently had nine Airbus and six Boeings.
-- BERNAMA
