THAI signs Burma deal ( The Nation ) January 18, 2003

THAI signs Burma deal

Published on Jan 18, 2003

Thai Airways International and Myanmar Airways International yesterday signed a code-sharing agreement for the Bangkok-Rangoon route. The agreement takes effect next month.

THAI currently operates two daily flights between Bangkok and Rangoon, while the Burmese flagship airline operates one.

THAI president Kanok Abhiradee said the carrier is looking into expanding its flight network in Burma.

THAI is also interested in signing more code-sharing agreements with other regional airlines, he added. THAI will join the Stock Exchange of Thailand's promotional road show to London and New York next week.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways International (THAI)'s cabin factor - the percentage of occupied seats on all flights - rose to 73.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year from 67.5 per cent in the year-ago period, THAI executive vice president, commercial, Tasnai Sudasna na Ayudhaya said yesterday.

Last October, the airline's cabin factor was 73.9 per cent compared to 66.2 per cent in the previous October, Tasnai said. It rose to 74 per cent lastNovember compared to 67.3 per cent in November 2001, he added.

However, the number of occupied seats dropped to 72 per cent in December, just slightly higher than the 69.2 per cent recorded in December 2001, Tasnai said. He attributed last year's 8-per-cent rise in the number of passengers to utilisation adjustments.

Such adjustments will continue, as THAI will offer three extra flights on its Bangkok-Beijing route during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, he said.

During low tourist season, May to June, THAI will participate in a promotion campaign with hotels and travel agencies, Tasnai said. The airline also plans to launch a new promotion to increase the number of business-class tickets it sells, he said.

Booking trends so far this year indicate that the carrier could see sales growth, but the possibility of a war between the US and Iraq is a concern, he said.

Choosak Jirasakunthai

The Nation