Thai Airways International Expands Route Network to Six New Destinations

Today Thai Airways International held a press conference to introduce six new destinations:

- Xiamen in the People's Republic of China 
- Abu Dhabi in the UAE 
- Bahrain 
- Geneva in Switzerland 
- Chittagong in Bangladesh 
- Johannesburg in South Africa

THAI will launch its flight operations to Xiamen, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Geneva, and Chittagong from 27 October onwards which is at the start of the Winter Program 2002/03. THAI's flight operations to Johannesburg will be under a joint service agreement with South African Airways, on the route between Bangkok and Johannesburg which will start in year 2003 during the Summer Flight Schedule.

An evening reception was held under the theme, "Going More Global" to mark this special occasion. There were some 800 guests attending the event, including Ambassadors of the six countries, representatives from travel and tourism related functions, members of THAI Management, agents, and media. 

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, said, "THAI will begin flight operations to Xiamen, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Chittagong, and Geneva from 27 October. Our operations to Johannesburg in South Africa will be in the form of joint service with South African Airways, starting in the Summer Program 2003. This move is part of THAI's network expansion plan to cover key destinations around the world. We (THAI) have studies their marketing, travel and tourism potential and it showed that by operating to these destinations, THAI is able to cater for the different travel demand among passengers. It is also expected that THAI will be able to generate revenue according to the target."

THAI will launch its flight operations on the following routes: 

Bangkok-Xiamen

- Three weekly flight operations, starting on 29 Oct 02, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft.

Bangkok-Athens-Geneva

- Three weekly flight operations, starting on 28 Oct 02, every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, utilizing Boeing B777-300 aircraft.

Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chittagong

- Three weekly flight operations, starting on 11 Dec 02, every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, utilizing Boeing B737-400 aircraft.

Bangkok-Abu Dhabi-Bahrain

- Three weekly flight operations, starting on 30 Nov 02, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft.

Bangkok-Johannesburg

- Joint service operations with South African Airways, starting on 1 Apr 03 (Summer Schedule).

THAI will operate flights to Johannesburg under a joint service agreement with South African Airways utilizing SAA's aircraft between Bangkok and Johannesburg.

THAI will be operating to a total of 72 international destinations worldwide, including the six new destinations.