Sydney discounts up close

BANGKOK, 7 February 2012: A new Bangkok-Sydney flight option is on the horizon with the arrival of an AirAsia X service to Sydney out of Kuala Lumpur this April.

Bangkok residents can tap a low-fare by taking a Thai Air Asia flight to connect with the long-haul service to Sydney due to start 1 April.

AirAsia X will operate the Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route daily and the departure time offers a reasonably good connection for ex-Bangkok passengers to transit conveniently between flights. Read more

CX’s Smart Saver Fares

BANGKOK, 3 February 2012: Cathay Pacific Airways currently offers saver fares online with discounts ranging from 16% to 25% on selected routes in Asia and North America until 31 March.

This round of Smart Saver fares remains valid until 31 March for booking and travel ex-Bangkok.

Based on the lowest regular online fares, discounts on business class fares are between 7% and 33%. They are available for 14 Asian destinations as well as Los Angeles. Read more

LCCs off the hook on fares

BANGKOK, 1 February 2012: Thai consumers have stopped filing complaints on misleading airline fare advertising , but they are taking airlines to task for a lack of services and reservations related problems, according to Thailand’s Office of Consumer Protection Board.

OCPB was responding to news, late last month, that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission filed a case against Malaysia’s AirAsia for an alleged failure to display prices inclusive of all taxes, duties, fees and other charges. According to Australian law, businesses that choose to advertise a part of the price of a particular product, or service, must also prominently specify a single total price. The matter is listed for an hearing on 2 March.

In Thailand, OCPB fined Thai AirAsia and Nok Air some years back, based on complaints by airline passengers.

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Immigration orders auto gates

BANGKOK, 1 February 2012: Immigration Bureau will start using auto-gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport for Thai passengers from April.

Immigration Division II commander, Pol Maj Gen Natthathorn Prohsunthorn, told TTR Weekly that by the end of March, or early April, the Immigration Bureau will switch to auto-gates to speed up the clearance of Thai passengers.

“Passengers will pass through a gate to verify the passport whether it is authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then they will move on to the next machine to verify identity, whether they are the same person in the passport by finger scan, check criminal records and related information.” Read more

QF and BA rationalise services

BANGKOK, 31 January 2012: Qantas and British Airways will cut London and Sydney services  transiting in Bangkok this March for services that turnaround in the Thai capital.

Both airlines will continue serving the  popular Sydney-London Kangaroo route through Singapore, which has been positioned as the primary Asian hub in a restructured Joint Services Agreement signed August last year.

As part of the JSA changes, British Airways will cease its Bangkok-Sydney service  which means all of its flights from London will turnaround in Bangkok effective 3 March. Read more

Dumping Delhi fares

BANGKOK, 31 January 2012: Airline seat capacity on the competitive Bangkok-Delhi route will drop significantly, 24 March, when Thai AirAsia terminates its service claiming fuel prices were prohibitive.

Indian-based carriers will now slug it out in the budget travel sector with yields continuing to drop against rising fuel costs.

Thai AirAsia launched its service 14 December 2010  offering a daily service. It will stagger the pull-out starting with a reduction of services, 14 February, from daily to four a week. It will close the route entirely 24 March.

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Annual Vat Phou festival

VIENTIANE, 30 January 2012: The annual Vat Phou festival will take place 5 to 7 February.

The Vat Phou festival is held annually during the full-moon night of the third lunar month. This year it falls on 7 February.

Activities include parades, traditional sports competitions such as boat racing, catch-ducks and breaking pots, concerts, market fairs, and light and sound stage shows.

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Emirates increases Spanish link

BANGKOK, 30 January 2012: Emirates will launch a Barcelona service 3 July and up Madrid’s frequency from one to two flights daily from 1 July.

The Barcelona-bound flight, EK 185, will depart Dubai daily at 0655 and arrive in Barcelona at 1200. The return service, EK 186, departs Barcelona 1640 and arrives in Dubai 0100 on the following day.

The service will be served by a 360-seat Boeing 777-300ER, in a three-class arrangement.

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SAS opens spring sale

BANGKOK, 30 January 2012: Scandinavian Airlines has launched fare sales on over 30 destinations in Scandinavia good through 15 June.

SAS’s Spring Sales is an online offer valid for booking only until 29 February, while travel ex-Bangkok is allowed from 12 March until 15 June, but the return journey must be made by 20 June.

SAS deals start around Bt30,000 and are very competitive even when compared with airlines providing nonstop services or one-stop to other Scandinavian cities.

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Don Mueang reopens March

BANGKOK, 30 January 2012: Airports of Thailand discounts fees for airlines and business operators at Don Mueang Airport in a move to restore operations after floods closed the airport since 26 October.

Relief measures, approved by the AoT board, will cost the company around Bt110 million in revenue, 25 October 2011 to 25 March this year.

Nok Air and Orient Thai Airlines moved to Suvarnabhumi Airport and pay standard parking and landing fees to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

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