THAI Lion Air today unveiled its pricing and marketing strategy during a media and agent briefing in Bangkok, promising high commission rates for travel consultants.
The new LCC will begin twice-daily flights to Chiang Mai from its Don Mueang base on December 4, and tickets on this segment are now available for sale. The launch dates for services to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta will be announced once international traffic rights are secured.
In keeping with its positioning to offer “consistently low rates”, Thai Lion Air will not impose any additional fuel surcharge, said Numpon Rungsawang, sales and marketing manager.
Excluding government-imposed charges and airport taxes, one-way fares to Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta will start from 400 baht (US$12.70), 200 baht and 1,500 baht respectively. The stated prices will hold until March next year, he added.
As Lion Air’s CEO Rusdi Kirana was formerly a travel consultant, Thai Lion Air recognises the importance of travel consultants in keeping with its parent company’s philosophy, said Numpon.
“We will offer the highest commission rates for travel consultants compared with other airlines including LCCs,” said Numpon, who revealed that Thai Lion Air’s fares are distributed via Abacus. “For no-shows, we will return 10 per cent; for cancellations three days before the trip, we will return 50 per cent.”
“For bookings of more than 50 pax, please contact us and we will be able to give special rates,” he shared. For group bookings, travel consultants can call (+66-2) 996-8005 or email groupbooking@lionair.co.th.
Using an “agent top up process”, travel consultants will have to make payments to Thai Lion Air via Thailand’s Kasikorn Bank for the time being following registration on the agent website.
Numpon urged travel consultants to “bear with the inconvenience” and said that more efficient payment methods online will be rolled out in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Thai Lion Air has launched a US$3 million campaign – including print, outdoor, online and TV advertising – using the tagline The Freedom To Fly to drum up consumer awareness in Thailand.
