Thai AirAsia (TAA) is strengthening its footprint in China with an expanded network and more frequent flights.
TAA, part of Asia's largest low-cost carrier group AirAsia, will introduce two new routes -- Bangkok-Chengdu and Phuket-Kunming -- on Feb 1 next year to bring its overall Thailand-China connections to 22 routes across 14 cities.
On Jan 16 next year, the airline will double frequencies on Bangkok-Xian, Bangkok-Kunming and Bangkok-Guangzhou routes to two flights a day each in response to growing demand for travel between the two countries.
Kathleen Tan, AirAsia president for China, said the high potential of the Chinese market propelled the airline's continued network expansion there.
She said AirAsia flights to China have an average load factor of 87%, a satisfactory level for the group.
AirAsia started flying to China in 2004 and entered Chengdu from Kuala Lumpur in 2009, a route that it continues to operate on a daily basis, sustaining a load factor of 86%.
AirAsia Group's network in China comprises 55 routes across 19 cities.
The new Bangkok-Chengdu and Phuket-Kunming routes will serve both Thai and Chinese traffic demand.
Thai tourists are increasingly fond of visiting China, while Chinese have become the biggest nationality in terms of arrivals in Thailand. AirAsia flights from China service Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.
TAA is offering promotional fares on the two Thailand-China routes with one-way fare for Bangkok-Chengdu starting at 1,990 baht and Phuket-Kunming at 1,790 baht.
Bookings can be made from now until Nov 19 for travel between Feb 1, 2018 and March 23, 2018.
