THAI to open direct flights to S. Africa

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) announced Wednesday it would launch direct flights from Bangkok to Johannesburg, South Africa,in October due to rising demand.

“Johannesburg is the hub of air travelling in Africa. It is a good connectionand we can get passengers from North and East Africa,” said Wallop Bhukkanasut,vice president of the airline's sales and distribution department.

The airline will operate three direct flights per week from the Thai Capital to Johannesburg, Wallop said, adding the company would increase the number of direct flights from Bangkok to New York and Los Angeles in September as well.

Thai Airways currently operates four flights per week from Bangkok to New Yorkand three flights per week to Los Angeles.

Tourism accounts for six per cent of Thailand's gross domestic product and The government forecast some 13.6 million foreign tourists would visit Thailand in 2006.

--The Nation 2006-02-22

One hub wants to join another hub. How sweet.