Bangkok, 24 April 2018: NokScoot, a joint venture between Singapore’s Scoot and Thailand’s Nok Air, launched ticket sales for nonstop flights from Bangkok Don Mueang airport to Tokyo’s Narita.
The flights are due to start 1 June.
Efforts to establish a service in the past were hampered by a red flag warning from the International Civil Aviation Organised that forced Japan to suspend new flights planned by Thai airlines.
ICAO lifted the red flag on Thailand’s aviation industry mid last year.
“It’s been a long time coming, but our flights to the Land of the Rising Sun are finally set for take-off,” NokScoot CEO, Yodchai Sudhidhanakul, confirmed at a press conference on Monday.
“The Bangkok–Narita route will mark our first foray into the Japanese market after having flown to China and Taiwan for the past four years.”
The Bangkok–Narita service has always been a key part of NokScoot’s long-term growth strategy, since the airline’s inception in 2014.
“NokScoot’s Bangkok–Narita flight will be instrumental in achieving its 2018 growth targets with strong demand for the route,” Yodchai added. “Following the launch to Tokyo, NokScoot plans to further spread its wings in North Asia adding more new routes this year.”
To celebrate the launch, NokScoot is offering promotional fares starting from THB 2,777, economy one-way (FLY fare category), tax-inclusive from Bangkok to Tokyo for the travel period 1 June 1 to 27 October. The special fare is available for purchase until 25 April.
NokScoot will operate the Bangkok-Narita services with Boeing 777-200 wide-bodied, twin-aisle jet.
Configured with 415 seats, the 777 offers 24 seats in business class and 391 in economy.
Japan National Tourism Organization Bangkok office executive director, Eigo Onuma congratulated NokScoot on the important milestone saying it would contribute to tourism growth between the two countries.
“Travel between Thailand and Japan is booming like never before. NokScoot’s adding a new route from Bangkok can only help drive demand,” Onuma added.
Following the visa waiver for Thais visiting Japan in 2013, Thailand has been one of the fastest growing travel markets for Japan.
According to a recent Kasikorn Research Center’s (KResearch) study, Japan is the number one outbound holiday destination for Thais.
Last year, 987,000 Thais visited Japan and this year travel should surpass 1.1 million. The report also noted a strong demand for repeated travel, with 45% of Thai travellers returning to Japan for a second or third trip.
NokScoot, a joint venture between Thailand’s Nok Air and Singapore’s Scoot, reported that 2017 revenue was up by 44% over 2016 to reach THB 5.6 billion (USD 175 million). The airline claimed it carried 37% more passengers reaching 1.1 million, while boosting its cabin factor to 87%, eight percentage points higher than in 2016.
