Press Release
AirAsia Launches New Direct Flights Krabi-Guangzhou
Connects Southern Thailand to a Shopping and Dining Paradise
Affirms Status as Airline with Most China Destinations, Seeks to Stimulate Year
End Tourism
AirAsia reasserts its status as the airline with the most complete network in China
with the launch of new route “Krabi-Guangzhou”, connecting China’s economic hub with the
Andaman Sea’s most popular tourist attraction with daily direct flights being offered at a
special promotional fare starting from 1,609THB one way (inclusive of airport tax and
fees). Bookings are available from today to 21 September, 2014 for travel from 6 November
2014 to 24 October 2015 at www.airasia.com and all AirAsia ticketing channels.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia, stated that China remains a main target
for the airline. Presently, AirAsia offers a total of 13 routes to 10 destinations in the country,
all at the lowest fares, flying not only from Don Mueang Airport but also Phuket and Chiang
Mai. All of the offerings have been well received by Chinese travelers visiting Thailand and
have prompted AirAsia to expand the network to include even more provinces in
Thailand. Krabi was found to be another destination popular among Chinese travelers after
figures indicated that visitors from China were the second most frequent fliers on AirAsia’s
Don Mueang-Krabi route after local Thais. AirAsia is confident that the opening of the KrabiGuangzhou route will prove an attractive and convenient option.
“China is an important market for AirAsia. Load factor from the country in the first 8
months of 2014 averaged 80%. We plan to step up market stimulation during the third and
fourth quarters to attract travelers during the yearend holiday season, which will also see a
visa waiver for Chinese travelers. We are confident our load factor during the end of the
year will reach even higher and that our new route addition, between an economic center in
China and Thailand’s south, will stimulate circulation”.
To mark the launch of the “Krabi-Guangzhou” route, AirAsia is offering special
promotional fares starting from 1,609THB one way (inclusive of airport tax and fees).
Bookings are available from today to 21 September, 2014 for travel between 6 November,
2014 and 24 October, 2015. Bookings in Thailand can be done through any of AirAsia’s
ticketing channels, which include at www.airasia.com, through the Call Center 02-515-9999,
at airport ticketing counters, AirAsia ticket agents and Counter Service outlets.
airasia.com
Press Release
Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong province and an economic center for South
China. It is often referred to as the southern gate of China and has a history of over 2,800
years. The city served as a start point for the Silk Road’s sea route and was the first free
trading port for the West in China. The capital is renowned for its cuisine as well as its
shopping with a variety of restaurants and eateries offering a myriad of Chinese cuisine and
Western dishes. A common saying goes “Guangzhou has everything that flies, except
airplanes, and offers dishes of anything with legs, except chairs”. It is also called a
“shopper’s paradise” with ample shopping venues that range from walking streets to wellpriced department stores that play host to world class brands.
AirAsia is currently the low fare airline with the most flights to China offering a total
13 routes to 10 destinations, namely; from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Macau 4 times daily,
Hong Kong 3 times daily, Chongqing and Wuhan twice daily, Guangzhou, Shenzen, Kunming
and Changsha once daily and from Chiang Mai to Macau, Hong Kong and Hangzhou once
daily as well as from Phuket to Hong Kong once daily. Its latest addition, Krabi to
Guangzhou, will begin operation this 6 November, 2014.
**End**
Flight Schedule Krabi-Guangzhou
Flight
Route
Time
Frequency
FD415
Krabi (KBV) – Guangzhou (CAN)
20.45-1.30
Daily
FD416
Guangzhou (CAN) – Krabi (KBV)
2.20-4.50
Daily
Caption (From left to right): Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, Commercial Head of Thai AirAsia, Ms.
Boosara Kanchanalai, Deputy Consul-General of Royal Thai Consulate-General Guangzhou,
Mr. Li Luchun
Deputy, Director of Marketing Department of Guangdong Provincial Tourism, Mr. Santi
Sawangcharoen, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Guangzhou Office, Mr.Tassapon
Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia & Great China, AirAsia Group, Ms. Suphatra Srimaitreephithak,
airasia.com
Press Release
Consul-General of Royal Thai Consulate-General Guangzhou, Mr. Feng Biao Deputy Director
of Guangzhou Port Administration Office, Mr. Shen Chaoyang
Director of Marketing Department of Guangzhou Baiyun International, Deputy Director of
Baiyun Exit and Entry Frontier inspection
About the AirAsia Group
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network
with 88destinations. Within 21years of operations, AirAsia has carried over
139million
guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to over 219 .The airline today is proud to be
a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations
based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and India, servicing a network
stretching across all Asean countries as well as China, India and Australia. AirAsia was
named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for
six consecutive years from 1990– .1922
For media enquiries, please contact:
Nuttawut Jitardharn
nuttawutj@airasia.com
airasia.com