U-Taphao Adding Flights For Pattaya Travelers

Solar Air airlines will add new routes from U-Taphao airport to Siemreab and Chumphon airports beginning November 9. The new routes are partly in anticipation of increased tourism business from the ASEAN Economic Community pact in the year 2015. The new flights will be offered four days a week.

PATTAYA-October 26, 2012 [PDN]; press conference, the mayor of Pattaya and airline officials announced that Solar Air airlines will offer new routes from U-Taphao International airport to Siemreab and Chumphon airports in order to facilitate travel to and from Pattaya.

The announcement was made at U-Taphao International Airport, Amphur Baan Chang, Rayong province; by Mr. Itthiphol Khunpleum, the Lord Mayor of Pattaya; together with Vice Admiral Suraphong Aisanon, the consultant of the administrative chairman of U-Taphao airport; Rear Admiral Saknarin Charoensuk, the director of U-Taphao International airport; Mr. Prapatara Lekkhean, the managing director of Max Royal Tour Co., Ltd.; and Captain Jirathit Ongaree, CEO of Solar Air airline.

The new airline routes will open for service on November 9, 2012. The new U-Tapao airport routes will open for service 4 days per week. The planes used by Solar Air are Dornia 228 aircraft with a passenger capacity of 18 seats. The smaller planes are very convenient and have a high standard of safety.
The new routes are a cooperative venture between Solar Air and Max Royal Tour Co., Ltd. which specializes in Pattaya tourism. The routes will fly from U-Taphao to many foreign and domestic destinations.

Solar Air CEO Jirathit Ongaree said that up to now, the airline has flown mostly in the northern and southern Thailand regions, but with the capability of its business partner, Max Royal Tours, the airline can expand to the eastern seaboard.

It is anticipated that the new route will help expand tourism for Pattaya tourists to be able to use U-Taphao International airport as an alternate travelling route.

At present, Solar Air airline has about 300 total flights per month, which includes the Bangkok-Chumphon, Bangkok-Koh Kood, and Bangkok-Prae routes, along with another two new routes that will open soon.

Mr. Itthiphol Khunpleum, the Lord Mayor of Pattaya, said that Pattaya is an important tourism destination in Thailand, and each year many tourists and investors, both Thai and foreigners, have travelled to Pattaya and made a lot of revenue for the city and Thailand.

So Max Royal Tour Co., Ltd. and Solar Air airline have recognized this importance, and decided to make an agreement to open the new route of flying closer to Pattaya by using U-Taphao international airport, which is about 30 km from Pattaya.

The flights will make it easier to tourists to travel to Pattaya from both domestic and foreign locations, as well as make it easier for Pattaya residents to be able to travel without having to go to Bangkok first.

The new airline routes were also to prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community, which authorities expect will result in many more tourists and investors travelling in and out of Pattaya.

Sourced: pattayadailynews