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Thai AirAsia to Launch Bangkok-Maldives in August
15th Jun 2017
Thai AirAsia (TAA) will become the second Thai-based carrier to fly to Maldives. However, unlike Bangkok Airways, which offers the round trip at 33,000 baht (now reduced to 20,400 baht), TAA will offer the daily non-stop service at a much lower price of 1,990 baht, one-way, inclusive of fees and taxes.
Thai AirAsia is also the third low-cost carrier to fly to Maldives after Malaysia AirAsia (flies from Kuala Lumpur) and Tigerair (flies from Singapore).
The airline has secured time slots at Male airport for arrivals (11:40 pm) and departures (12:40 pm) and will use single-aisle Airbus A320 aircrafts on the route, with 180 seats. However, unlike Bangkok Airways, TAA will only offer economy class seats. BA flies Airbus A319s and offers 108 economy class seats and 12 business class seats to its passengers. Asia’s Boutique Airline has been flying the Bangkok-Maldives route for over a decade now, without much competition.
Thai AirAsia’s Commercial Director Santisuk Klongchaiya said that, because Maldives are a world-class destination, he is confident of the early success of TAA’s new international route.
Speaking to the media, Haris Mohammed, Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation acting managing director said that TAA’s arrival should help offer more travel options to the island, as well as create more competition in the market.
Mr. Mohamed said:
The Maldives is indeed a luxurious brand, but it is for all, not only for ultra-high-end travellers.
He also pointed out that Thai AirAsia would not only bring travellers from Thailand, but also from other countries in South Asia as well.
One limiting factor for TAA, at least initially, could be the fact that the capacity at Male airport is currently reduced while the second runway is being built, so a part of the airport and some of the facilities there have to be closed for the time being.
In 2016, 1.3 million tourists visited Maldives from all over the world and Mr. Mohammed expects that number to go up to 1.5 million in this year. Thai AirAsia should help with that and certainly bring more than 16,000 visitors from the previous year.
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