Thai AirAsia to fly daily to HK

Chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld said the airline would operate daily flights between the cities with newly delivered 180-seat Airbus A320s. It will be parent company AirAsia's second route to Hong Kong, following its Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong service.

Tassapon said the airline would aim for an average load factor of 80 per cent and hoped Hong Kong would become a favourite destination for Thai travellers.

"The airline will start selling tickets in the next few weeks. So far, 2,000 customers have already asked to buy tickets," he said.

According to Thai AirAsia, there are 19 flights per day operating between Hong Kong and Bangkok, ranging in price between Bt13,000 and Bt15,000 per trip.

Thai AirAsia guarantees to charge less than Bt10,000. The fuel surcharge will be Bt900 one way, while airport tax and insurance will be added.

Apart from Hong Kong, the airline plans to service Bangkok to Guangzhou in China, Bali in Indonesia and cities in India.

Thai AirAsia expects to serve 4.6 million passengers this year. It had 2.1 million passengers in the first six months, an increase of 25 per cent year on year. It has had 10 million passengers since it started operations four years ago.

Airports of Thailand wants the airline to move operations back to Don Mueang Airport once work begins on the second-phase expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Tassapon said Thai AirAsia would need to get a commitment of staying a minimum of five years to cover the cost of relocation.

"When AOT finalises its plan, we will talk about the move," he said.