Thai AirAsia Expands Routes to India and Southeast Asia
Thai AirAsia is expanding its routes to India and Southeast Asia to counter reduced Chinese flights due to economic issues and competition. The airline’s new routes will include Bangkok-Hyderabad, Bangkok-Phú QuÕc, and Phuket-Siem Reap in October, followed by Bangkok-Kathmandu, and Phuket to Kolkata and Chennai in November. While Indian passenger demand is rising, Chinese market recovery remains slow, with the airline expecting to serve 21-22 million passengers this year.
Thai AirAsia is planning to open new routes to India and within Southeast Asia in the second half of the year to offset reduced flights to China due to economic slowdowns and higher competition from domestic travel.
Tansita Akrarittipirom, head of commercial at Thai AirAsia, noted that the share of Chinese passengers dropped to 17% from 27% prior to the pandemic, while the share of Indian passengers is expected to rise to 10% by year-end.
The airline will launch three new routes in October: Bangkok-Hyderabad, Bangkok-Phú QuÕc, and Phuket-Siem Reap.
In November, three more routes will be opened: Bangkok-Kathmandu, and Phuket to Kolkata and Chennai.
These expansions are supported by an additional 7,000 seats allocated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, of which Thai AirAsia received 40%.
Indian passengers often dominate 80-90% of flights to India, and the airline aims to open flights to major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai if additional seat quotas are approved.
Currently, the airline's international flights operate at 82% of pre-pandemic capacity, with Indian routes at 116% and Southeast Asia at 88%.
Despite growing Indian demand, the Chinese market is expected to recover more slowly, with Chinese passengers anticipated to make up 20% of total international passengers by the end of 2024.
The airline expects to serve 21-22 million passengers this year, nearing its 2019 level of 22.1 million.
Tansita Akrarittipirom, head of commercial at Thai AirAsia, noted that the share of Chinese passengers dropped to 17% from 27% prior to the pandemic, while the share of Indian passengers is expected to rise to 10% by year-end.
The airline will launch three new routes in October: Bangkok-Hyderabad, Bangkok-Phú QuÕc, and Phuket-Siem Reap.
In November, three more routes will be opened: Bangkok-Kathmandu, and Phuket to Kolkata and Chennai.
These expansions are supported by an additional 7,000 seats allocated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, of which Thai AirAsia received 40%.
Indian passengers often dominate 80-90% of flights to India, and the airline aims to open flights to major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai if additional seat quotas are approved.
Currently, the airline's international flights operate at 82% of pre-pandemic capacity, with Indian routes at 116% and Southeast Asia at 88%.
Despite growing Indian demand, the Chinese market is expected to recover more slowly, with Chinese passengers anticipated to make up 20% of total international passengers by the end of 2024.
The airline expects to serve 21-22 million passengers this year, nearing its 2019 level of 22.1 million.
