Special deals from major airlines aim to whip up more trade

Etihad Airways is offering "last-minute" tickets to Brussels, Paris, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Manchester, Milan or Munich until January 14 for economy and until January 31 for business class.

Economy fares start at Bt19,500 and Bt65,000 for business class.

Air France and KLM are also handing out vouchers for the Red Sky or Long Table restaurant in Bangkok for couples who travel to Europe between February 1 and March 31. Only tickets issued between today and January 15 will be eligible.

British Airways is offering 60-per-cent discounts to Thai citizens flying to Australia. Fares start from Bt32,260 for a round trip, excluding taxes and surcharges. The promotion runs until February 28 and travel must commence before June 30.

British Airways and Qantas have cut their fuel surcharge by an average of 17 per cent for passengers on the Bangkok-London route.

Singapore Airlines is also giving special deals on the Internet, with fares to Singapore starting at Bt6,700 and to Tokyo from Bt18,800. There is also a two-day-one-night Singapore package, starting from Bt8,800 per person, which includes air tickets, hotel accommodation, breakfast, transfers and a trolley bag.

Buyers of the first 300 packages, that include a Singapore Airlines ticket, will get a S$10 (Bt240) shopping voucher for Charles & Keith. Bookings have to be made before January 31.

Pandit Chanapai, executive vice president of Thai Airways International, said the national airline was also getting in on the act with its "Happy All the Way" promotion, which runs until the end of January.

He said the airline would also improve its online booking system to lure more customers.Carriers are offering these promotions in an attempt to bring back the tourists that were lost during the recent airport closures. The tourism sector lost more than Bt100 billion from the shutdowns.