THAILAND-based longhaul LCC NokScoot, a joint venture between Thailand’s budget Nok Air and Singapore’s no-frills Scoot, will spread its wings to China and South Korea come May.
From its Don Mueang Airport base in Bangkok, NokScoot will launch thrice-weekly flights to Nanjing from May 5, operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
On May 10, it will begin thrice-weekly services to Incheon on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The flight frequency will be stepped up to daily from June 15 onwards.
Both services will be operated on 415-seat Boeing B777-200 aircraft, with 24 seats in ScootBiz cabin and 391 seats in Economy Class cabin.
When enquired on the choice of both cities for the carrier’s inaugural destinations, NokScoot’s CEO, Piya Yodmani, commented: “We aim to provide a regular link between Bangkok and Nanjing. Nanjing is steeped in history and culture amid the modern shopping places and food. This, together with the scenic sights in and around the city, will be a new tourist destination for Thai travellers.
“Meanwhile, Bangkok as a destination is a perennial favourite among Chinese tourists as well.
“For (South) Korea, the tourism flow between the two countries are well established and NokScoot aims to offer exceptional value and choice for travellers.”
According to a NokScoot spokesperson, another new destination will be revealed later this month and that “East Asia is an integral part of (the airline’s) network plan”.
NokScoot’s latest announcement is expected to intensify competition on the Thailand-East Asia market, as longhaul budget rival Thai AirAsia X had already commenced services toOsaka, Tokyo-Narita and Seoul last year.
