Cancellation of Europe-bound flights only temporary: THAI president

[webfact]

Cancellation of Europe-bound flights only temporary: THAI president
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 9 -- National flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) confirms that it has cancelled some flights to European destinations in line with its two-year strategic corporate restructuring programme.

THAI President Charamporn Jotikasthira said certain flights to Europe, for example, Bangkok to Madrid and Bangkok to Moscow, have been cancelled but only on a temporary basis.

THAI will definitely resume flights to these routes in future when it is ready, said Mr Charamporn.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said earlier that the routes enjoy high passenger growth.

But Mr Charamporn said THAI’s decision on cancelling the flights was based on its projection that the aviation industry business in Europe would slow down due to sluggish economy in the region while THAI has to adjust its flight routes and marketing programme to meet its restructuring plan.

Cancelling the flights is just part of the programme aimed at reduce massive losses suffered by the airline.

On the airline’s plan to sell 42 of its planes, Mr Charamporn said he expected more interest would be received from would-be buyers at this time as global oil prices are declining. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2015-02-09

[trogers]

Does this confirm that the Russians are not coming?

[englishoak]

Im sure according to TAT there will be a sharp rise in tourists flocking to come if they are forced to use cheaper flight options.....

[Thian]

Thai is far too expensive anyway, Europeans are smart enough to see that.

[CockneyGit]

So THAI is in trouble is it..?? I wonder why...

Return flight, BKK > London

THAI - 48,000 THB
BA - 33,000 THB
All Others - 28,000 - 32,000 THB

D'uh! Work it out people!

[HeijoshinCool]

Gonna be kinda tough, Charamporn, to "definitely resume flights to these routes in (the) future," when you've sold 42 planes, ain't it?

Geez, these people just can't tell the truth.

EDIT: Spelchker

Edited February 9, 2015 by HeijoshinCool

[Bluespunk]

"THAI President Charamporn Jotikasthira said certain flights to Europe, for example, Bangkok to Madrid and Bangkok to Moscow, have been cancelled but only on a temporary basis."

How easy will it be for Thai to get these routes back? Do they own them or can other airlines take them up if Thai no longer is using them?

[Briggsy]

So THAI is in trouble is it..?? I wonder why...

Return flight, BKK > London

THAI - 48,000 THB

BA - 33,000 THB

All Others - 28,000 - 32,000 THB

D'uh! Work it out people!

You are correct.

And yet many Thais living in the UK insist on flying Thai, often providing irrational and non-factual reasons to support their choice of airline.

e.g.

The flight staff can understand (and yet you choose to live in an English-speaking country )

There is unlimited baggage for Thais flying on THAI (in defiance of gravity )

Arabs smell (in reference to the Middle Eastern airlines, Qatar, Etihad, Gulf, etc.)

When dealing with Thais and indeed the fate of Thai Airways, logic needs to be suspended as other less tangible priorities take precedence.

[jacky54]

Most Thai in UK that I know have always preferred Eva, they say they get treated poorly on TG. TG are not always the most expensive, to NZ recently they were the cheapest.

[NongKhaiKid]

"THAI President Charamporn Jotikasthira said certain flights to Europe, for example, Bangkok to Madrid and Bangkok to Moscow, have been cancelled but only on a temporary basis."

How easy will it be for Thai to get these routes back? Do they own them or can other airlines take them up if Thai no longer is using them?

You have a point there and it would also link to the question of landing and takeoff ' slots ' especially at the major airports where favourable times are important to travellers.

When THAI gets back onto these routes they might find the slots available for allocation are not at all attractive for passengers and therefore difficult to win back.

[than]

Does this confirm that the Russians are not coming?

The Russian flow will not stop 5 Russians carrier desserve BKK daily

[tomross46]

THAI could save more, if they took the benefits away from politicians, and members of the Board of Directors.

[Ozziepat]

There never seems to be any sort of analysis in these articles regarding the cause of such non-competitive rates, which I think are NOT in question. And there never seems to be any commentary specifically regarding rate reduction, which would seem to necessarily be priority #1. And, there never seems to be any indication of direct government involvement in airline operating and "restructuring" decisions. Most odd, this situation, and very non-transparent.

Edited February 9, 2015 by Ozziepat

[RKASA]

It was necessary to give this a press release - otherwise - no one would have noticed.

[cmsally]

Maybe want to take a look at how many customers are enjoying freebies on Thai.

[Fiddlesticks]

Cancellation of Europe-bound flights only temporary

Until the time they announce that they are going out of business completely!

[Noi657]

I'm surprised THAI didn't ask the other airlines to put their prices up so they could be more price competitive!

[Lee4Life]

I find it extremely hard to believe that any company would begin scaling back profitable services "temporarily" on the assumption that there will be a sales downturn or slump in the future. Other large corporations wait until there is tangible proof. Auto manufacturers do not slow production down unless sales decline, hotels do not close their doors because of "foreseen declines" in tourism, and so on...

[Plutojames88]

After ten years of flying Thai airways - I parted company when I learnt they allowed employes time off to attend Bangkok marches , which led to this coup.

So I have no sympathy - especially with their inflated prices and pretensions .

[Lupatria]

So THAI is in trouble is it..?? I wonder why...

Return flight, BKK > London

THAI - 48,000 THB

BA - 33,000 THB

All Others - 28,000 - 32,000 THB

D'uh! Work it out people!

You are correct.

And yet many Thais living in the UK insist on flying Thai, often providing irrational and non-factual reasons to support their choice of airline.

e.g.

The flight staff can understand (and yet you choose to live in an English-speaking country )

There is unlimited baggage for Thais flying on THAI (in defiance of gravity )

Arabs smell (in reference to the Middle Eastern airlines, Qatar, Etihad, Gulf, etc.)

When dealing with Thais and indeed the fate of Thai Airways, logic needs to be suspended as other less tangible priorities take precedence.

logic needs to be suspended

Didn't that happen here already a long time ago?

[Basil B]

Gonna be kinda tough, Charamporn, to "definitely resume flights to these routes in (the) future," when you've sold 42 planes, ain't it?

Geez, these people just can't tell the truth.

EDIT: Spelchker

Does not do the the creditability of Harvard Uni much good where Mr Jotikasthira was awarded a MBA.

[wileycoyote]

Every airline is examining profitability

[whatawonderfulday]

THAI could save more, if they took the benefits away from politicians, and members of the Board of Directors.

Do not be silly. thai airways soley exist at the behest of the directors and government officials. No other airline in the world would put up with these motely individuals

[ExPratt]

"The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said earlier that the routes enjoy high passenger growth"

Made me chuckle actually.Despite the facts MOTS says there is higher passenger Growth, They can be no bad news in the Tourist industry

[maidee]

newsletter link : "THAI cancels Europe-bound flights "

when you arrive here : "Cancellation of Europe-bound flights only temporary: THAI president"

i find it rather MISLEADING

[Searat7]

I believe their plan is to sell 22 planes, not 42. They need to address their bloated payroll of 25,000 employees.

[laocowboy2]

Gonna be kinda tough, Charamporn, to "definitely resume flights to these routes in (the) future," when you've sold 42 planes, ain't it?

Geez, these people just can't tell the truth.

EDIT: Spelchker

In fairness, I believe the plan is to unload older, fuel-inefficient aircraft and replace some of them with more modern aircraft - and in particular ones suitable for whatever will be the new route system.

That said, Thai is expensive, badly managed and with mediocre service standards. I used to fly with them as a first preference - but that was so long ago that I still had hair!

[wirat69]

Most Thai in UK that I know have always preferred Eva, they say they get treated poorly on TG. TG are not always the most expensive, to NZ recently they were the cheapest.

Lack of demand??

[steveyinasia]

Maybe want to take a look at how many customers are enjoying freebies on Thai.

Frequent flyers are certainly not enjoying the benefits, despite flying more than 100,000 miles a year(yeah silly me) on TG, upgrades are non existant. I joined Cathay making it to Silver in two months and have already been upgraded once.

[thaiowl]

Have lived here 25 years and only fly TG if other carriers not available. Fly to Europe with Finnair, EVA....excellent. TG has been pretty poor for many years and has been overtaken by other carriers who are constantly improving their product offerings.