Thai AirAsia X bullish about Japan

BANGKOK Thai AirAsia X will increase flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport) to Japan’s Tokyo and Osaka in late March, next year, to meet anticipated travel demand between the two countries.
Starting 26 March next year, flights to Tokyo Narita International Airport will increase to two daily from the current daily service.
Flights from Bangkok to Osaka Kansai International Airtport will also increase from five weekly to daily, also 26 March.
Airline CEO, Nadda Buranasiri, said demand for low-fare travel between the two countries would increase to justify additional services.
“We have already achieved an advance booking rate of 50% for the first quarter of 2015 and have decided to increase flights in time for the annual Songkran holiday.”
He said: “The additional flights will allow passengers to choose whether they would like to fly during the day or during the evening to Tokyo.”
Apart from Bangkok, travellers from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai as well as regional travellers from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore can benefit from flights to Japan by buying Fly-Thru service at Don Mueang Airport when they book on the website.
Passengers need only check-in and load their luggage once at the initial airport to collect their baggage at their final destination in Japan. They receive two boarding passes at the first departure point.
Thai AirAsia X becomes the airline with the second highest seat capacity between Bangkok and Narita Airport (NRT) at over 14 flights a week, which is equivalent to 10,556 seats a week.
Once it increases its Kansai service to daily flights, it will also have the second highest seat capacity between Bangkok and Osaka at 5,278 seats a week.
“Thai AirAsia X aims to play a major role in stimulating travel from Japan to Thailand by offering connections throughout the kingdom to its regional neighbours at equally low fares,” the CEO said.
It is estimated that in 2014, as many as 600,000 Thai travellers will visit Japan, an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. The figure is a clear indicator of Japan’s popularity for Thai travellers. They like the mix of high tech lifestyles and cultural attractions as well as Japanese food. They are also impressed by the orderly and clean environment.
While Japanese travellers to Thailand dropped since the beginning of the year, the outlook is now more positive.
Thai AirAsia X uses Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 377 seats (12 Business Class and 365 economy class seats). Those who prefer a flatbed seat option can book business class, which includes reclining premium flatbed seats, complimentary 40 km of baggage and complimentary meal and drinks.

sourced:ttrweekly.com