Nok Air taking over some Thai Air Domestic Routes

[Dr Mick 111]

Just found this on BBK news today.

 

At the moment only Thai Air flies domestic route into Khon Kaen ,so very expensive to fly to Khon Kaen,thats why I use

Undon Thai airport using Nok Air.

 

But soon,or in about 6 months it looks like Nok Air will take over thai route to Khon Kaen

This would be good news for people living in Khon Kaen ,also for people wanting

to visit Khon Kaen,flights should be a lot cheaper in the future

 

Nok's takeover of routes looks promising

By: BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Published: 2/03/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: BusinessThe Transport Ministry's plan to allow the budget carrier Nok Airlines to take over loss-making secondary domestic routes from Thai Airways International has received favourable responses from the two airlines.

 

THAI executives said the airline could let go of the routes serving Phitsanulok, Mae Hong Son and Khon Kaen, as advocated by Transport Minister Sophon Zarum, to improve the flag carrier's balance sheet.

 

Nok chief executive Patee Sarasin said the plan would help both airlines in that it would free THAI from the need to operate losing routes that Nok could service more efficiently.

 

"It's a win-win model for both of us," he said, adding the proposal was in line with Nok's original creation concept to support its parent.

 

THAI has insisted on keeping domestic trunk routes such as Chiang Mai and Phuket, which support its international flight system.

 

Mr Sophon said he wanted to see THAI and Nok, which is 39% owned by the national carrier, collaborate more on domestic flights and reduce unnecessary competition.

 

THAI executives say domestic operations as a whole are profitable, thanks to the rebound of domestic travel demand following the Bangkok airport shutdown three months ago.

 

However, Mr Patee said it could take up to six months before Nok could assume the extra routes, pending the addition of two Boeing 737-400s to its current fleet of three similar airplanes.

 

"We don't want to rush the takeover. The process has to be gradual as we have to make preparations," he added

Edited March 7, 2009 by Dr Mick

[CheshireTom 1,377]

But soon,or in about 6 months it looks like Nok Air will take over thai route to Khon Kaen

This would be good news for people living in Khon Kaen ,also for people wanting

to visit Khon Kaen,flights should be a lot cheaper in the future

 

Mick,

 

Unfortunately that's not quite the way the airlines see it.

 

Mr Sophon said he wanted to see THAI and Nok, which is 39% owned by the national carrier, collaborate more on domestic flights and reduce unnecessary competition.

 

Reducing competition isn't going to bring prices down. The best that could happen is for AirAsia to take up the route.