Thai Air Asia has launched a flight from Bangkok to Mandalay, Burma’s second city, as well as increased flights to former capital Yangon as part of a regional expansion.
Thai Air Asia CEO Tessapon Bijeleveld said that the airline hopes to make Bangkok more of a hub for the upcoming Asean Economic Community by launching many routes which are not currently covered by existing aviation patents, MCOT reported.
The move began with Thai Air Asia’s inaugural flight to Mandalay on Aug. 6 and an increase in the number of flights to Yangon. Thai Air Asia plans to make Thailand serve as a connecting base for important business and tourism centers such as Naypyidaw, Burma’s current capital, and Bagan, famous for its ancient temples. Flight routes are also scheduled to be released for Da Nang, Vietnam and Savannakhet, Laos in coming months.
Mr. Tessapon also underscored Thai AirAsia’s intent to help support potential tourism in the country and also support the future AEC as part of its commitment to sustain economic growth for Thailand.
Thai Air Asia is moving its central operations to the Dong Mueang Airport. To date, half of the process has been completed and the move preparations with the AoT are going as scheduled.
Korea airline T’way recently pulled its flights from Don Mueang, citing a litany of problems with the airport, but Air Asia seems to be pushing forward with the move: Their website says that all Bangkok flights will be run in and out of the airport starting Oct. 1.
