Thai AirAsia to start daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang
Thai AirAsia to start daily flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang
Thai Air Asia, a joint venture between Malaysia's low-fare airline AirAsia and Thailand's Asia Aviation is scheduled to inaugurate daily flights from Bangkok (Don Meuang Airport) to Luang Prabang from March 24.
This information was confirmed yesterday by the Air Ticket Agency in Luang Prabang province.
Speaking at a recent press conference in Thailand, Thai AirAsia's CEO Mr Tassapon Bijleveld said the upcoming service was the carrier's first endeavour in Laos. In the past, the authorities rejected applications by low-cost airlines to fly to Luang Prabang.
Mr Bijleveld noted that Laos also opted out of the Asean Open Skies agreement, apparently to protect its national airline, at the expense of its fledgling tourism industry that has called for more flights.
The decision to allow Thai AirAsia to fly to Luang Praba ng would give the airline cover in all neighbouring Mekong Region countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
“The new service will help to encourage tourism in the region. The Luang Prabang service will complete Thai AirAsia's network in the (Mekong),” the CEO added.
According to a recent report from Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, there were 4.3 million international tourist arrivals in Laos last year, up by 4.88 percent from 4.1 million in 2014. The trips generated US$670 million in revenue.
Thai nationals represented the biggest market followed by the Vietnamese and Chinese.
In 2014, 2.04 million Thai tourists travelled to Laos, down marginally by 0.76 percent from 2.05 million visitors in 2013.
AirAsia's Fly-Thru service opens travel to Asean destinations, connecting Thailand to seven countries in Asean with 15 routes and 12 destinations.
Luang Prabang International Airport is located 4 kilometres from Luang Prabang town centre.
Several international and domestic airlines operate scheduled flights from Luang Prabang airport, including Bangkok Airways, Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.
