Budget airlines Thai Air Asia opens Bangkok-Narathawit route

BANGKOK: -- Budget airline operator Thai AirAsia today inaugurated the Bangkok-Narathiwat route with hopes to fill up to 70% of seats and stimulate tourism in this southern province.

Thai AirAsia CEO Tasapol Blackweld said the Bangkok-Narathiwat route is initiated with a view to make Narathiwat province a hub connecting travelers to the three border provinces. Narathiwat will soon become a major air transit point to help alleviate congestion at Haat Yai airport in Songkhla,

he added.

Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between Shin Corporation and AirAsia Malaysia, offering low-cost air travel within Thailand and neighbouring countries. A 60% seat occupancy is projected for the initial period of service in a 120-seater that operates return flights three times a week between Bangkok

and Narathiwat. The occupancy rate is expected to rise thereafter to 70%

Narathiwat Governor Pracha Terat said the flight connection helps facilitate transport and tourism in the province and surrounding region considerably. He said the new government should be able to restore peace in the southern border region in months to come.

Commercial flights between Bangkok and Narathiwat had been suspended a long time ago due to thin passenger traffic as well as security concerns.

--TNA 2005-02-09

Narathiwat will soon become a major air transit point to help alleviate congestion at Haat Yai airport in Songkhla,

he added.

This seems a somewhat dubious claim. I'm sure that there is enough potential traffic on this route that it could justify an (eventual) daily flight between BKK and Narathiwat but I can't imagine the latter ever becoming a major air transit point.