Direct flights between Kunming and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima are expected to be launched by Chinese-carrier Kunming Airlines by this October.
Chatchavan Wongjorn, president of the Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce, said Monday the airline would launch the new round-trip route at Nakhon Ratchasima airport during a trial period between the end of October and December.
The route would officially come into service early next year, he said, adding the Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 170 seats would be used.
Mr Chatchavan was speaking after a trip to China to meet executives of Kunming Airlines and CCT group, the city's largest tour company, as well as Kunming tourism officials.
He said the meetings were very productive.
The air link was in response to Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichien Chantaranothai's initiative to encourage more international flights to the province.
Mr Wichien assigned Mr Chatchavan to handle the issue.
Mr Chatchavan said Kunming Airlines stands ready to launch the new route soon.
However, the chamber needed to consult with Prawat Duangkanya, director of Nakhon Ratchasima airport, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deal with formalities first.
Besides Kunming, Xishuangbanna-Nakhon Ratchasima round-trip flights could be launched by November or December after the southern Chinese city expressed an interest in the proposed route.
Mr Chatchavan said he would talk to other airlines based in Vientiane, Laos and Danang, the coastal city in Vietnam.
"We want to upgrade Nakhon Ratchasima which is on par with other international airports but has never been used for international flights. By next year, people in 20 northeastern provinces may not have to travel to Bangkok to transit some international flights," he said.
