Thailand sees boom in regional air travel

[webfact]

Thailand Sees Boom In Regional Air Travel
By Khaosod online



BANGKOK: -- Thailand is enjoying a boom in regional aviation industry according to the reports compiled by the national airport authority and Nok Air, a low-cost airliner.

Both the Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Nok Air have announced triple growth in their operation this year.

According to CAPA Centre for Aviation, Southeast Asia presents the highest growth rates in the international aviation industry, particularly in regional low-cost flights. So far, the region has over 5.6 million seats booked weekly in October 2013.

Nok Air boss, Mr. Patee Sarasin, said on Monday that his company is expected to make approximately THB 1,500 million in revenue this year, triple its 2012 revenue of THB 500 million. The company’s annual net profit for this year is also expected to double last year’s profit.

The low-cost airline is experiencing good prospects, as it runs on 87-88% of full capacity and operates 140 flights each day, Mr. Patee added.

The airline also plans to launch its first international route from Bangkok to Yangon in November, after the newly opened market Myanmar gains the biggest growth rate in the region. The route will be supplied with 4 flights a week, with the average ticket price of THB 2,000.

Meanwhile, the Airports of Thailand Public co.Ltd. (AOT), a state enterprise, also announced that they are expecting a profit of THB 17,000 million this year in air travel, nearly triple of its last year profit of THB 6,499 million.

CAPA also revealed that Thailand’s International Aviation Market has grown 21% within the last 18 months, slightly above the regional growth which presents at 20%.

Mr. Pongsak Semsant, AOT Deputy Director, said “AOT plans to develop Suvarnabhumi airport to be in the Top 5 of the global best airports list”. Additionally, the company plans to equip its airports with better facilities, more secure services and good management "within the next five years".

Currently, the national main airport sits comfortable at number 6 of the global list, and has been continuously developed.

The Ministry of Transport also announced last week the plan to transform Don Muang airport into a second fully functional international airport in Bangkok, as the busy flight schedules are increasingly beyond Suvarnabhumi capacity.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE1UYzBPVEkzTnc9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-10-15

[flyingdoc]

Well, one additional airport seems that it will never see the light of day, is on Koh Phangan. The ill fated runway half way up the mountainside, seems doomed to never have a single landing there!

[davehowden]

Maybe because the trains have stopped running?

[trainman34014]

No thanks to Thai Airways though. Hats off to Air Asia and a few other LCC's for bringing in a great deal of regional business from near neighbours.

[Konini]

I think more people are slowly realising that it's not only (a lot) quicker, but often cheaper than road transport, especially within Thailand. We were recently kicking around the idea of going to Langkawi by ferry from Saturn for a border run - the flight to Hat Yai from Chiang Mai is much cheaper than an overnight bus to BKK then another onto Hat Yai. Some people just assume the bus will be cheaper (it may be cheaper if you don't get VIP or better buses, but who wants to travel those distances on a bone-shaker?). Also, the number of crashes with fatalities will deter some from the roads.

In the end, it's a good thing - the more people flying, the more routes will be added and competition will keep the prices reasonable.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps Nokair should make a bid, to take over TG ?

[RubbaJohnny]

With the tremendous success of Swampy ,as oft discussed,and DonMuang now water free seems like a wonderful time to buld a hub airport at Lad Phrao to connect the two.

Speculation,lies and unsaleable rice could form the basis,topped off with hyperbole.

[SantiSuk]

Tripling revenue to only double profit = buying business with cheap fares = road to ruin. Expect Nok Air to be in deep trouble at the first sign of any slight downturn. Seen it all before ... many times.

[Soutpeel]

The low-cost airline is experiencing good prospects, as it runs on 87-88% of full capacity and operates 140 flights each day

And some flights even manage to stay on the run way..

[osiboy]

you can FLY over 2000 miles in thailand for the same price as a 300m train ticket in the UK ,BARGAIN ! I don't understand why anyone would choose to take a bus on a 7 hr+ journey if they could afford to fly , well worth another 1000b and sooooo much safer ,..........why would'nt more ppl do it ? , not suprising and will continue to grow for sure .

[Thai at Heart]

you can FLY over 2000 miles in thailand for the same price as a 300m train ticket in the UK ,BARGAIN ! I don't understand why anyone would choose to take a bus on a 7 hr+ journey if they could afford to fly , well worth another 1000b and sooooo much safer ,..........why would'nt more ppl do it ? , not suprising and will continue to grow for sure .

Which 2000m trip are you going on about? Certainly not on Thai airways methinks.