Governor
M.L. Panadda Diskul bangs the ceremonial gong to launch Chiang Mai as a new
hub for Thai AirAsia which will begin direct flights to Hat Yai and
Singapore from Chiang Mai in January, 2011.
Jittarporn Charasrum
and Phitsanu Thepthong
Thai AirAsia (TAA) will open its newest hub in Chiang Mai
in January in a strategic move to cash in on potential new routes. The low-cost
airline celebrated its new direct to flights from Chiang Mai to Hat Yai and
Singapore with special fares starting from 690 baht.
Starting January 24, AirAsia will officially launch its
new hub in Northern Thailand ’ with the daily flights operating for two new
routes, Chiang Mai-Hat Yai, and Chiang Mai –Singapore.
The Chiang Mai hub will be the new home for AirAsia‘s
newest airbus A320 plane, which is scheduled to arrive January 20 from the
Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, according to Tassapon Bijleveld,
CEO of Thai AirAisa.
About new 20 aircraft will be arriving from France to
Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia for Air Asia, he said.
He added, “It is very exciting to launch the new hub with
new routes which will offer even more connectivity for people who want to
travel to or from these destinations. Chiang Mai is known for its abundant
natural beauty and rich culture. Each year around 5 million tourists visit
this northern destination, and the number are continuing to grow every
year.”
“Last year, we launched our Phuket hub which has met with
very positive responses; since we started we have significantly increased
our routes and Singapore from Phuket. This time, we will connect Chiang Mai
to two powerful cities. Hat Yai is Thailand’s important financial city and
tourist destination in the south, while Singapore is a hot spot for tourists
and known as a shopping heaven, spa, and excellent weekend destination. The
connectivity to both these cities will certainly contribute to the
convenience offered for those traveling through Chiang Mai as people from
the northern city will now able to connect to Bangkok, Phuket, Hat Yai,
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur,” said the CEO.
TAA will charge fares 20-30% lower than for full-service
carriers to help build traffic. They offered a promotional all-inclusive
price starting from 690 one way to Hat Yai, route, and 1,490 baht to
Singapore.
The budget carrier on Jan 24 will begin with one flight
each per week from the northern capital to Singapore and Hat Yai, before
considering other domestic and international destinations.
Chiang Mai will play a bigger role for TAA, when the
AirAsia daily flight FD 4015 will depart Chiang Mai at 10.15 a.m. and arrive
Hat Yai at 12.15 pm.
And the daily flight FD 4110 departs Chiang Mai at 3.25
p.m. and arrive Singapore at 7.15 p.m.
