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Bangkok Airways to receive modernised Airbus fleet
Bangkok Airways’ fleet modernisation plan - which it hopes will lead to
greater premium revenue - will start to take shape when it receives the
first of seven new Airbus 319 jetliners in June.
The privately owned carrier plans to use the aircraft - which it will lease
- on routes frequented by premium passengers.
Bangkok Airways director and senior vice-president - finance, Mr. Thavatvong
Thanasumitra, said the introduction of the A319 was a good opportunity to
tap the premium market, but the main goal was to increase the number of
mid-range flights and phase out the airline’s Boeing 717-200 aircraft.
Mr. Thavatvong said the routes the A319 would likely service included
Samui-Singapore and Samui-Hong Kong. The aircraft could also be used to
service parts of China, Hiroshima, Fukohama and possibly Nagoya.
The A319s can fly farther than the carrier’s existing B717, A320-232 and ATR
72-500 aircraft.
Bangkok Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of four more A319s in
February, March, April and November next year. The final two are slated to
arrive in April and November the following year.
The airline’s fleet modernisation plan also includes an order for six Airbus
350 mid-sized long-range jets. The first A350-800 was supposed to be
delivered to Bangkok Airways in 2011, but the new date is likely to be 2013.
(TTG)
Bangkok wins international award as best city leisure destination
Bangkok has been voted the world’s best city destination for
leisure and The Oriental Hotel won the best hotel award, according to a poll by
Asia’s luxury travel and lifestyle magazine, DestinAsian.
Readers of the magazine say the Thai capital reigns supreme among Asian cities
mostly due to its “great food and nightlife”, plenty of shopping and sightseeing
to be had as well as being “excellent value for money”.
The Oriental Bangkok won the best hotel award for its outstanding services and
excellent catering. The Banyan Tree Phuket was voted the best in the resort
category for its impressive location, outstanding services and luxurious spa
facilities.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said its representative in Hong Kong,
Chalermsak Soranant, picked up the award at a ceremony held there recently.
Voting for the first DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards was held in the latter
half of last year through a survey which sought readers’ opinions on their
favorite destinations, hotels, and airlines in the Asia-Pacific region.
Readers were required to nominate a winner in each category and provide a short
explanation on the reasons for their choice.
DestinAsian is a bimonthly publication published in Jakarta with a readership of
110,000. It is distributed to affluent travellers through subscription,
newsstands, in-flight and controlled circulation throughout Asia and beyond. Key
markets include Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand,
Philippines, Taiwan, and Australia and New Zealand, as well as some key Middle
East destinations. (TNA)
Thai AirAsia launch paint an Airbus competition
Thai AirAsia have launched a nationwide Airbus A320 paint design contest as
part of their celebrations welcoming the entry of the A320 aircraft into its
fleet.
The design contest will run from Feb 12 until April 16, 2007 and is open to
all citizens and registered foreign residents of Thailand. The winning
design will be painted on Thai AirAsia’s second brand new Airbus A320, which
will be delivered to the airline in November this year.
Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, said: “We want
the people of Thailand to celebrate with us as we welcome the brand new
Airbus A320 aircraft into Thai AirAsia’s fleet. We invite everyone in
Thailand to join. Simply send to us your design illustrating the identity of
the Thai people and the Thai AirAsia qualities of fun, professionalism and
leadership.”
The winner of the competition and his/her immediate family (up to 4 family
members) will receive free airfare for one year to any of Thai AirAsia’s
domestic and international destinations subject to conditions.
Competition entries are limited to one per person and designs submitted
should conform to the company’s red livery. A template of the Airbus A320
design sheet can by downloaded from www.airasia.com/th/home.jsp.
The winner of the contest will be announced on April 30.
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