THAI Airways appears to be backing away from its high fares on the Phuket-Bangkok route by offering promotional prices. But even the discounts have failed to attract fliers in large numbers on some flights from Phuket.
A Phuketwan reporter flying to Bangkok from Phuket at a discount fare at a peak time this week encountered a 747 on which less than half the seats were occupied.
Thai flies 11 times daily between Phuket and Bangkok at present. The airline was reluctant to provide details on numbers of passengers on board flights.
Back in March, Thai Airways boosted the standard fare on the 696km Bangkok-Phuket hop by a whopping 46 percent, from 2575 to 3770 baht.
The move was roundly criticised by tourism industry leaders on Phuket, and it seemed to be odd at a time when more passengers were opting to fly budget at lower prices.
Now Thai is operating a promotion for December that returns the airline to its pre-March fare of 2575 baht for those who book to fly Mondays through Thursdays, with the fare for Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays at 3165 baht.
Observers find it unusual for a cut in fares on the key Bangkok-Phuket route at a time when airlines usually rely on a growing number of tourists to boost their revenue. However, the December discount appears to have been under-promoted.
Phuketwan discovered the discount by chance when researching flight prices online - if there was any announcement to create interest among the flying public, we missed it.
Despite obvious concerns about the important Bangkok-Phuket dodmestic route, Thai Airways International has conservatively projected a 10 percent increase in revenue but flat growth in seat occupancy next year.
The national carrier's board did not offer precise sales or profit forecasts, but president Piyasvasti Amranand told the Bangkok Post that 10 percent growth appeared possible if there were no major political disruptions next year.
THAI earned more than 12 billion baht in the first nine months of this year.
Phuket Retirees 'Must Have Health Insurance'A Phuketwan reporter flying to Bangkok from Phuket at a discount fare at a peak time this week encountered a 747 on which less than half the seats were occupied.
Thai flies 11 times daily between Phuket and Bangkok at present. The airline was reluctant to provide details on numbers of passengers on board flights.
Back in March, Thai Airways boosted the standard fare on the 696km Bangkok-Phuket hop by a whopping 46 percent, from 2575 to 3770 baht.
The move was roundly criticised by tourism industry leaders on Phuket, and it seemed to be odd at a time when more passengers were opting to fly budget at lower prices.
Now Thai is operating a promotion for December that returns the airline to its pre-March fare of 2575 baht for those who book to fly Mondays through Thursdays, with the fare for Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays at 3165 baht.
Observers find it unusual for a cut in fares on the key Bangkok-Phuket route at a time when airlines usually rely on a growing number of tourists to boost their revenue. However, the December discount appears to have been under-promoted.
Phuketwan discovered the discount by chance when researching flight prices online - if there was any announcement to create interest among the flying public, we missed it.
Despite obvious concerns about the important Bangkok-Phuket dodmestic route, Thai Airways International has conservatively projected a 10 percent increase in revenue but flat growth in seat occupancy next year.
The national carrier's board did not offer precise sales or profit forecasts, but president Piyasvasti Amranand told the Bangkok Post that 10 percent growth appeared possible if there were no major political disruptions next year.
THAI earned more than 12 billion baht in the first nine months of this year.
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No logic involved in decisions taken by Thai Inter management.
These are the people that after the tsunami stopped flying the Phuket to Singapore route due to lack of demand and consequently lost their landing slots. Classic short-sightedness.
Meanwhile, Tiger Airways and Silk Air are making money hand over fist on the route with each offering several flights per day.
Posted by Sir Burr on December 19, 2010 18:11