Nok Air looks at intercontinental flights

TOKYO - Asakusa shrine is one of the most popular places to be visited by foreign travellers in Japan capital Tokyo. But just go there on any day and one of the most heard languages is now… Thai. Since Japan exempted Thai travellers of visa requirements for a stay inferior to 15 days, the number of Thai travellers is just booming. Thai travellers to japan might top this year 850,000 visitors and the magic number of a million Thai in the country of the ‘Rising Sun’ might be reached by the end of 2015.

It is not a surprise that airlines are rushing to open flights between both countries. Since 2013, long-established airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Thai Airways International sharply increased capacities, particularly with the release of slots for international carriers at Haneda airport in Tokyo, But they have since been joined – or will be joined- by an additional three carriers. Jet Asia Airways turned last year its charter flights into a regular scheduled flight between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Tokyo Narita. Newly established carrier Thai AirAsia X will unveil next week its schedule to Tokyo, its second long-haul destination. The airline will also fly to Tokyo Narita.

And now, NokScoot, the long-haul low cost subsidiary between Nok Air- an affiliate of Thai Airways International- and Scoot -the low-cost brand of Singapore Airlines- is also eyeing the crowded Thai-Japan market. In an interview to Japan newspaper The Nikkei, Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin unveiled to have seek the permission to open a daily flight between Bangkok Don Mueang and Narita. This would be the first route of NokScoot.

Nok Air is now looking to intensify its presence on international markets. Many times announced and delayed, Nok Air is now confirming to look at launching daily flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Sarasin indicates to also look at serving more Indochinese routes in Myanmar – it already has flights to Yangon and from Mae Sot to Mawlamyine –formerly known as Moulmein-in the Southern part of the country.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews