THAI To Keep Surcharge Unchanged Despite Fuel Rise

[george]

THAI to keep surcharge unchanged despite higher fuel cost

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Plc will not increase a surcharge although its fuel cost continues to go up, according to the company's senior executive.

The decision was made with an aim to shore up the local tourism business, said Vasing Kittikul, THAI's Senior Executive Vice President for Commercial Department.

He said while the cost of fuel for aviation in the past year had climbed up by US$5 per gallon, THAI had no plan to raise the surcharge.

The surcharge collected by THAI was usually lower than those of other airliners.

Although the airliners had increased the surcharges, THAI would attempt to cap the fee for both local and international flights in order to prevent possible repercussions on local tourism and transport industries.

At present, passengers for regional flights are subject to a surcharge of 800 baht per head and those for intercontinental flights to 1,500 baht per head.

He said THAI would find energy-saving measures to reduce its fuel cost.

Mr. Vasingha added the new outbreak of an avian influenza had not affected the company's business operation.

The number of inbound and outbound passengers had not dropped as many concerned, he said.

--TNA 2004-10-07