Thai AirAsia flies to Khon Kaen

Thai AirAsia will launch a twice daily service connecting Bangkok to Khon Kaen, 28 October.

The airline CEO, Tassapon Bijleveld, said the route responds to the needs of  public private sectors that need more flight options to the northeast commercial hub town.

The town is a popular meeting venue for events related to government departments and educational institutions, plus it is a major commercial centre for the distribution of agricultural machinery and supplies.

It lies on the main highway and railway line north to Nong Khai and the border with Laos in the central region of Northeast Thailand.

Thai AirAsia’s first daily flight, FD3250, will depart Don Mueang at 0710 and arrive Khon Kaen at 0805, while the return flight, FD3251, will depart Khon Kaen at 0835 and arrive Don Mueang at 0930.

The second flight, FD3258, ex-Don Mueang will depart 1830 and arrive Khon Kaen at 1925, while the return flight, FD3259, will depart Khon Kaen at 1955 and arrive Don Mueang at 2055.

To mark the launch of the new route, Thai AirAsia will offer a one-way promotional fare of Bt490 inclusive of airport taxes and surcharges.

Passengers can book the fare until 15 September for a travel period from 28 October to 5 August next year.

“Tourists will also benefit from the opening of this route as they will be able to travel on lowest fare using the newest AirAsia aircraft,” the CEO cited.

The airline plans to acquire five additional Airbus A320-200s in the fourth quarter of this year, which will result in a fleet of 35 new planes by year-end.

The expanded fleet will strengthen the airline’s capability to offer an extensive network of domestic and international routes.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Northeastern region executive director, Pattamat Wongpattanasiri, said the upcoming route will encourage tourists particularly Thais to travel more to Khon Kaen.

“The service will offer more choices and connectivity… It can be a new trend to encourage tourists to travel in the northeast or I-san.”

She added: “It will also support MICE travellers as Khon Kaen is the event centre in the I-san region as well.”

The promotional fare without further surcharges that the airline sneaks in unless you deliberately blank the boxes, is almost on par with the fare for a VIP luxury bus service.

Sourced: ttrweekly