THAI Smile, a sub-brand airline of Thai Airways International, commenced its first international flights to Macau on July 7.
Operating in two seat classes on new Airbus A320-200 aircraft, THAI Smile’s twice-daily Bangkok-Macau services add to Thai Airways’ existing six daily Macau-Bangkok connections.
Woranate Laprabang, THAI Smile managing director, said: “We are expecting high-spending and MICE travellers from Thailand (on the Bangkok-Macau flights), especially incentive groups. Unlike Hong Kong, where many of them have been to, Macau is new.
“Moreover, there is a lot of potential (for tourism promotion) in the Zhuhai region of Guangdong Province, north of the Macau border,” he added.
Woranate said the new route also enables travellers from India – which has no direct air links to Macau – to leverage on Thai Airways’ connecting flights via Bangkok to reach the destination.
New Sintra Tours general manager, Noella Tsui, said: “Thailand is a top (destination) for Macau residents who love going (there) for weekend escapes. It’s hard to get seats during the peak season, so THAI Smile’s entry means more choices and could possibly drive airfares down.”
According to Woranate, THAI Smile’s economy class bookings for July are about 80 per cent full. Unlike LCCs, THAI Smile offers free baggage allowance, as well as complimentary beverages and a light meal onboard.
– Read more in TTG Asia, July 13, 2012
