Nok Air to Add Regional Charter Flights

8th May 2012

In an attempt to get a new place to get revenue, Nok Air will add regional charter flights to its main domestic network business.

Since March 27, Nok Air has already tried 10 charter flights. It also tried flying tour groups in a 189-seat Boeing 737-800 from Nanjing, China.

Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Nok Air vice president, marketing, spoke to TTR Weekly saying, 'We have done ad hoc charter services domestically and internationally, but this is the first charter series with Chinese travel agents who pre book and pay for flights.'

Nok Air currently hasn't had talks with other travel agents despite the fact that charter business has no-risk features but the project could mean more charter services especially from China as long as China's travel agents can pre-sell flights.

Mr. Pinyot added, 'We have spare aircraft capacity after the Songkran festival and usually we reduce frequencies in the domestic network.'

'Also regional charter flights can be organised for late night departures with the aircraft completing the run before they are needed to serve the daytime domestic timetable.'

Pinyot also shared that the possibility of having scheduled regional charter operations is very unlikely as Nok Air's entire system was equipped only for operating domestic flights. It would be a challenge if Nok Air moves into the regional market.

Another airline which also plans to get into the regional market was Thai Airways International's Thai Smile as the major shareholder plans to add the service to its low-cost segment.

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