AOT state only operating flights at 33% of the level in 2019

[webfact]

file photo. Credit: Tim Rees/Airliners.net

 

OPINION

 

Last week we ran a news story stating that British Airways was snubbing Bangkok by delaying plans to resume flights in favour of running flights out of Singapore.

This was after the Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn had met with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to discuss the lack of flight connections to Thailand.

At this meeting, AOT revealed that currently, they were only operating at 33% of the level seen in 2019. 

It comes as British Airways confirmed it was postponing plans to resume its London to Bangkok service from the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways is one of the only airlines running direct daily flights to London; their capacity is up 600% with more daily passengers. 

Eva Air is running direct flights to London but not on a daily basis.

It was obviously a topic that caught people’s eye and so far, we have had 6,000 views and over 90 replies.

Seems many of you do not favour flying with BA anyway.

Here is a cross-section of some of your comments:

Probably a lot of business class fares to rake for BA on the Singapore route.
Whereas Bangkok is becoming more of a bucket and spade destination.

 

Central, north & northeast UK can still travel to Thailand via Dubai. Cuts out a hectic and expensive trip to Heathrow. BA are not stupid, as they will have done the research.

The proposed charter flights for Thai Airways out of London can only be done through Gatwick, as they have only two slots at Heathrow both of which they currently use (Phuket and BKK).

As Heathrow and Gatwick are asking for airlines to cut passenger numbers because they cannot cope, there is more to this story than meets the eye.

They can only hope Eva (if they haven't already) schedule their direct London BKK route and that middle Eastern airline who also offer a far superior service, do so also.

Having recently flown Thai on the LHR BKK route the service was appalling. Food inedible. Cutbacks on inflight entertainment was a joke. They think we don't notice but we do. 

 

Would that be the 'win' of (pre pandemic) BA making £2 billion profit while Thai airways went bankrupt? 

Its pretty clear BA's commercial managers are in a different league to Thai. There is reduced capacity for air travel and BA have realised there is more profit and reliability with other routes rather than the flip-flopping uncertainty of Thai officials. They’d long ago switched their Australia stop over from Bangkok to Singapore which indicates a trend. 

 

After many years of good service, I slowly got fed up with the offhand treatment and horror of transit in Heathrow.... and stopped using them. 

But I gave them a chance when a reasonably priced Club World ticket showed up three or so years ago.... an error on my part!

 

British Airways has nothing British about it these days, it is a Spanish company, and pretty much a disgrace …it took millions in government handouts then sacked a lot of staff. It should be stripped of its name in my book. It’s doing a disservice to the name British and trading on a false name in the pursuit of profit. 

I did the Thai Airways Heathrow route last month and was pleasantly surprised. New plane, clean, good service and kept my glass topped up. Last few times I have gone the middle east route. Like Emirates, Qatar a lot but one flight is far better for me.

 

Over the years I flew Eva Air BKK-LHR maybe 7 times, and can confirm that they're nicer than Thai, the best direct flight.

 

Thank you, I totally agree. During my 20 years living in Thailand, EVA AIR became my favored "direct" flight choice. Never flown to/from BKK with BA - always too expensive! 

On one occasion, my EVA flight to LHR was full and I was asked to "step down" being offered 1,000-baht cash, a hotel for the night in Bangkok and a seat on the next day's flight. As it turned out, this was not necessary as EVA re-booked me with THAI Business Class at no extra cost - I was a happy bunny!!

The old 747's that BA ran on the BKK - LHR route were the oldest planes in the BA fleet and were in constant need of repairs. Delays caused by technical problems were a routine occurrence on that route.

 

Have a work colleague whose son was on a BA flight LHR to BKK, and he was marooned for 48 hours in Athens, 2019, waiting for the plane to be repaired and declared fit to fly after an emergency landing there due to a fault!

So maybe there will not be many of you sorry to see Spanish BA stay out of the BKK airspace for now.

 

It is probably wise to stay clear of Heathrow any way unless you are keen to lose your luggage!

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-08-02

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[PETERTHEEATER]

33% utilisation? I can only assume that for the TAT tourist figures to be realised that all the international arrivals are aircraft with a thousand seats or more. .......????

[welshguy]

 

"At this meeting, AOT revealed that currently, they were only operating at 33% of the level seen in 2019. "

 

 

"Meanwhile, Thai Airways is one of the only airlines running direct daily flights to London; their capacity is up 600% with more daily passengers. "

 

Wow...They must be stacking the passengers in the cargo hold then! I always used Thai (pre.covid) VERY rare to see any spare seats on the flights I flew.

 

So to have risen 600%?   Wow! I see they aren't using A380 now either......god knows where the extra 600% are sitting!!

[Photoguy21]

Maybe Thailand is not a destination of choice now with the rules changing almost hourly and the double pricing that everyone outside of the country is aware of.

Edited August 2, 2022 by Photoguy21