JetAsia builds its strategy on Japan and China

BANGKOK- They are two brothers, Ibrahim and Jacob Saba, both American living in Thailand. The first one is Executive Vice President and the second one is the CEO of JetAsia Airways, a charter carrier registered in Thailand. Looking at expanding their business, the airline wants to become increasingly active on routes from Thailand and China to Japan. “We have been on the market for a couple of years offering charter flights for tour operators. But we now want to expand our horizon to welcome more individuals clients, especially as visa rules for Thai nationals are getting easier for Japan and soon China”, says JetAsia CEO Jacob Saba.
Japan recently decided to abolish visas for Thai wishing to visit for less than 15 days. A government’s agreement between China and Thailand was recently signed, which will offer the possibility for the citizens of each country to come without requesting a visa.
Traffic is likely to be stimulated from and to Thailand. The Thai government speaks from 5 million of Chinese coming to the Kingdom while Japan expects to rapidly reach 700,000 to 800,000 Thai travellers every year.
“It means that the share of FIT will certainly grow. Until now, we worked almost exclusively with the travel agencies’ network of HIS who sold our tickets. We are now working on e-ticketing solution, which would allow our customers all across the world to buy our tickets online”, adds Jacob Saba. According to the airline’s management, 40% of all passengers might be Thai in the future, while the share of individual travellers (FIT) might grow up to 20%.
JetAsia will launch in early October its first “regular” charter flight to Tokyo Narita and already look at adding destinations such as Osaka. To China, Tianjin and Nanjing could also attract more Thai travellers.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews