TAA adding more Phuket services

Thai AirAsia (TAA) is moving to strengthen its Phuket base with two new routes in the next two months. The country’s largest low-cost carrier will embark on Phuket-Khon Kaen and Phuket-Macau services starting on Dec 22 and Jan 8 next year, respectively.

TAA currently operates 11 routes out of the Thai southern resort island — six international and five domestic.

The launch of two routes is timed to cash in on the high tourism period, helping to boost Phuket’s tourism.

“We’re adding two new routes now because the fourth quarter is travel season and Phuket is a top destination for Thai and foreign tourists alike,” said Arun Lilapantisitti, head of TAA’s Phuket station.

Over the first three quarters of this year, TAA’s flights through Phuket maintained an average load factor of 86%, including the Bangkok-Phuket route, which is popular enough to warrant the addition of a pre-dawn flight and is now offered 18 times a day, he said.

TAA offers four flights a week on the Phuket-Khon Kaen route while Phuket-Macau will be on a daily basis.

In addition to the forthcoming Phuket-Macau services, TAA operates many more direct flights from Macau to Thailand, including Macau-Don Mueang (four flights a day), Macau-Chiang Mai (daily direct) and Macau-U-tapao (four flights a week).

“We will be using our strengths of low fares, on-time service and trustworthy reputation to draw in travellers and help stimulate the island’s economy,” said Santisuk Klongchaiya, director of commercial at TAA.

TAA’s promotional fares on the Phuket-Macau start at 1,590 baht one-way. Phuket-Khon Kaen is being promoted with a one-way fare starting at 690 baht.