Latest news with #ThaiAirAsia
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Chinese travel agents call for clarity
Chinese travel agents have already quizzed Thai tour operators about the clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border over concerns the situation may impact their clients' travel plans, says the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), while Thai AirAsia has observed a surge in Thai passengers on its flights serving Cambodian cities. Following clashes on Thursday, which caused at least 13 Thai civilian fatalities, some countries, including the United Kingdom (UK) and the US, issued a warning to their citizens to avoid border areas in the provinces of Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) issued a statement assuring the safety and security of tourists as the top priority of relevant government authorities. The statement advised travellers to avoid certain areas in seven provinces in the East and Northeast, including the provinces of Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat. Atta president Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn said the incident would undeniably hamper tourism for the remainder of this year, but the scale of the impact would depend on how long the conflict persists. 'Even though most Chinese agents are still confident that major tourism cities remain robust, the problem is with Chinese tourists' perception following media reports and whether they will delay their trips' said Mr Thanapol. At Atta's roadshow scheduled to visit Chongqing, Lanzhou and Hangzhou next week, the association plans to use the opportunity to clear up any misinformation and reassure the Chinese that Thailand is safe to visit. Another focus is informing tour agents they stand to benefit from joining the Thai government's stimulus programme. Mr Thanapol said the dispute will require the government to work much harder to secure 5 million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, which is the state's minimum target. Sarawadee Thiamprasert, managing director of At Ubon Travel, a tour operator based in Ubon Ratchathani, said a tour group of more than 20 domestic tourists maintained their bookings scheduled for next week, but they did ask the company for clarification of the situation. Mrs Sarawadee said popular attractions were not located near the Cambodian border, but the Mun River and Pha Taem National Park were quite close to the border with Laos. She said the risky areas were mainly located within agricultural zones and neighbourhoods, where the authorities already helped Thais to evacuate to safe areas. In addition, Ubon Ratchathani airport is operating as normal. Last year Ubon Ratchathani received 3.8 million visitors generating 9.1 billion baht in revenue. If the conflict persists, tourism revenue might contract from last year, attributed to weak travel confidence, slow economic growth stemming from the conflict, and sluggish border trade, said Mrs Sarawadee. As of July 24, Cambodian arrivals had plunged by 27% year-on-year to 229,240. Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia reported its routes serving Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, each operating two flights a day, had an average load factor of 80% and 90%, respectively, during the first half of 2025. During July 21-25, the airline secured a high load factor, with the number of Thai passengers surging, prompting it to use Airbus A321neos with 236 seats rather than Airbus A320s to accommodate more passengers.
The Star
20-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Thai AirAsia flight hit by hailstorm during descent into Chongqing, China
BANGKOK: A Thai AirAsia flight was struck by hail during descent into Chongqing on Thursday (July 17) causing its nose and cockpit to be damaged. No injuries were reported, but the return flight was delayed. The Facebook page Outsider's Aviation reported on Saturday (July 19) that Thai AirAsia flight FD552 was struck by a severe hailstorm while descending into Chongqing, China. - Photo: The Nation/ANN The flight, operated by an Airbus A320 (registration HS-BBA), had departed Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on July 17 and encountered turbulent weather shortly before landing at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. The aircraft sustained visible damage to its nose cone and cockpit windshield after being battered by hailstones. Passengers and crew on board, totalling more than 147 people, described the aircraft shaking violently during the descent. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Due to the damage, the return flight FD553 from Chongqing to Bangkok was delayed for several hours. Thai AirAsia later issued a statement confirming the incident, adding that the aircraft landed safely and that all affected passengers were provided with accommodation, meals, and ground support. A replacement flight was arranged, arriving safely in Bangkok on July 18. - The Nation/ANN
Hype Malaysia
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hype Malaysia
AirAsia To Launch Kota Kinabalu To Fukuoka Route Via Taipei This August; Promo Fares Up For Grabs!
Pack your bags, wanderlusters! AirAsia Malaysia has further strengthened connectivity from its second-largest hub, Kota Kinabalu, with the launch of a brand new fifth-freedom route to Fukuoka, Japan via Taipei! Starting from 15th August 2025, AirAsia will be operating the additional route connecting Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka through a short stopover in Taipei with daily flights. The new route underscores the airline's commitment to expand its Kota Kinabalu hub, enabling more Sabahans to fly beyond ASEAN and offering more travel options for globetrotters seeking new adventures. Taipei is one of AirAsia's key virtual hubs within its extensive network. The new route provides more flexibility for Malaysians looking to explore more destinations in Japan, offering an alternative to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Fukuoka via Don Mueang (Thailand), operated by Thai AirAsia. Dato' Captain Fareh Mazputra, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, said: 'We are excited to launch this new fifth-freedom flight from Taipei to Fukuoka, marking another significant milestone as we continue to explore new opportunities from our Kota Kinabalu hub. Since reinstating the Kota Kinabalu-Taipei route three years ago, we have flown more than 130,000 guests, and the numbers continue to grow. This launch aligns with our vision of connecting people across Asia, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting tourism opportunities. 'With this new route, Sabahans now have more choices and flexibility when travelling to their preferred destinations, while supporting the state government's vision of positioning Sabah as a top tourism destination. We remain committed to facilitating air travel for everyone through enhanced connectivity, convenience and accessibility.' In celebration of the launch, AirAsia is offering special promotional fares for flights from Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka starting from just RM609* all-in one way, whereas flights from Fukuoka to Kota Kinabalu are also available from JPY21,390* all-in one way. Guests can book their flights from today onwards until 8th June 2025, for travelling between 15th August 2025 and 29th March 2026, available on the AirAsia MOVE app and Flight Schedule Between Kota Kinabalu (BKI) & Fukuoka (FUK) Via Taipei (TPE): Fukuoka is a popular destination in Japan where tradition meets modernity. The city is renowned for its iconic Tonkotsu ramen and serves as a paradise for foodies. It is also the best go-to destination for nature lovers, especially as the city offers tranquility for a perfect getaway trip – stroll through the Ohori Park or the Fukuoka Castle and immerse yourself in the city's rich history. From 15th August onwards, AirAsia will operate flights to 13 international destinations across Asia from the Kota Kinabalu hub, with a total of 79 flights weekly, further solidifying the hub's position as Malaysia's second-largest hub. *All-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Terms and conditions apply. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
BusinessToday
03-06-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
KK Takes Off To Japan Via Taipei As AirAsia Widens Reach
AirAsia Malaysia will launch a new fifth-freedom route connecting Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka, Japan, via Taipei, with daily flights beginning Aug 15, 2025. The move is part of the airline's continued expansion of its Kota Kinabalu hub, which will operate 79 weekly flights to 13 international destinations from mid-August. The new route also provides an additional travel option for Malaysians flying to Japan, supplementing the existing Kuala Lumpur–Fukuoka route via Don Mueang operated by Thai AirAsia. Since reinstating the Kota Kinabalu–Taipei route three years ago, over 130,000 passengers have flown the sector. The latest route aims to strengthen regional connectivity and support Sabah's tourism ambitions. Promotional fares for the new route are now available for booking until June 8, 2025, with travel valid between Aug 15, 2025, and March 29, 2026. Related
Malay Mail
09-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Thai AirAsia to cut China flights by 15pc, shifts focus to India amid weak demand
BANGKOK, May 9 — Thai AirAsia is considering reducing its flights from Thailand to China by at least 15 per cent as the Chinese market continues to underperform. The airline is also urging the Thai government to strengthen its tax refund incentives to help stimulate tourist spending, particularly during the low travel season. According to the Bangkok Post, Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X are reviewing their services to 10 Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Shanghai, with a shift in focus towards high-growth markets such as India. 'Even though more Thai tourists are flocking to China after the permanent visa exemption started last year, the outbound flows cannot compensate for the absence of Chinese passengers,' said Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation, the largest shareholder of Thai AirAsia. He said the slowdown comes as Beijing discourages domestic consumption of luxury goods, a policy that has hurt spending patterns since last year. Tassapon said the Thai government should upgrade its tax refund programme to attract foreign tourists who still have spending power. He noted that Thailand's 7 per cent VAT is lower than countries like Japan, which offers a 10 per cent refund, and China, which provides up to 13 per cent back to foreign shoppers. 'Our country might lose some revenue from tax collection if we provide higher refund values to tourists, but the amount of money they spend would bring greater benefits to the overall economy — not just for luxury retailers, but for businesses across all sectors,' he said. He proposed a pilot programme for instant, on-the-spot tax refunds during the third-quarter low season to assess its impact before broader implementation. Thai AirAsia believes such measures are vital to revive the sector and align with calls from other business groups. Both the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Thai Retailers Association have previously called for a more efficient tax refund system and increased incentives for international visitors.
