Chiang Mai Latest Hub For Bangkok Air

Via: AviationPros.com

Bangkok Airways will turn Chiang Mai into its third airport hub and use it as a stepping stone to boost its coverage of Myanmar.

The privately owned carrier is set to launch three routes from the northern capital to link with Yangon and Mandalay in Myanmar as well as the northeastern city of Udon Thani (short trip to the ‘Friendship Bridge’ – Vientiane, Laos)  in late October, according to insiders.

Services to Yangon and Mandalay will strengthen the airline’s footprint in Myanmar, tapping fast-growing traffic demand.

Bangkok Airways is already the largest provider of flights from Thailand to Myanmar, operating three routes from Bangkok to Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw with a combined 40 flights a week.

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/11457995/aviationproscom-gets-responsive-design

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I predict:

1. Bangkok Airways will expand the Chiang Mai hub to include China.

2. Air Asia will follow suit and make Chiang Mai a hub, but will include: Myanmar, China Nepal, and India.

soon

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Chiang Mai – Air Asia ‘Everyone can Fly – But no one can Walk’

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

Now the company behind the slogan is making sure Chiang Mai folk will want to do just that, to escape an un-walkable city.  Air Asia advertizing signs now appear blocking pedestrian traffic on the city’s most prominent intersections.

These include places within the main cultural heritage zone within the city moat, around the moat road and as far away as the Pucome intersection leading to the tourist Mecca of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.

The lopsided  signs have especially large footings often forcing pedestrians to walk on the road risking injury from  motor cycles zipping around the corner.

Some years ago the news was full of stories of “Pu Mii Ittipon”or “People of Influence” engaging in nefarious activities such as illegal logging and drug smuggling while immune from police prosecution.

However of late the term seems to have disappeared from common use and one wonders if the people have gone away? So who could have enough influence to persuade the local government of Chiang Mai which gives permits for footpath obstructive signs for these super-sized obstacles? The airline is ostensibly Malaysian owned, but with the help of the Gnomes of Zurich there may well be a hidden influence closer to home in Chiang Mai.

So if you are influenced by traffic chaos, congestion and pollution or by the advertizing blitz you may just decide to take the advice and fly from Chiang Mai to Hangzhou. There you can enjoy the tree lined boulevards and cycle around on a public bike,  pleasures denied us here in Chiang Mai.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=3212

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FACT:

Chiang Mai has an abundance of ‘handicap sidewalks’; i.e. if you walk on then long enough, you WILL BE hadicapped!

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Air Asia: Bangkok to Siam Reap, Cambodia (999 baht – $32 USD)

Via: Coconuts Bangkok

AirAsia will soon begin flights from Bangkok to Siam Reap a route that has long been dominated by Bangkok Airways.

The budget airline’s entry into this market comes with an impressive promotional one-way fare of THB999 ($32), which will likely kick off a price war between the low-cost carrier and it’s more established competition.

Technically AirAsia is advertising a THB79 fare, but as you’ve probably surmised that’s simply too good a deal to exist. In addition to the fare itself, there’s a fuel surcharge of THB220 and an airport tax of THB700.

The extra taxes aside, THB999 is still a great deal for a Bangkok-Siam Reap flight and far more reasonable than a comparable Bangkok Airlines flight, which currently runs at THB6600.

AirAsia said that the promotion is available only for the first 8,000 seats. Once the promotion is over tickets will run about THB3,000. ($1oo USD – STILL CHEAP!)

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/07/16/airasias-new-flights-siam-reap-kick-rockbottom-thb999-fares

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related post:

‘(1 of 2) Air Asia Flight Attendants’

http://seattle98.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/air-asia-flight-attendants/

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Bangkok Airways Voted 3rd BEST Regional Airline in WORLD

Via: City News – Chiang Mai

Bangkok Airways has been voted the 3rd World’s Best Regional Airline in the SkyTrax Awards 2013. Results are taken from satisfaction surveys taken by approximately 18 million passengers from around the globe.

Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, the managing director of Bangkok Airways, told the press that Bangkok Airways was overjoyed to win the award. He said his staff would keep working hard.

“Thank you to customers who trusted us and chose Bangkok Airways. We will continue our great standards and serve you as best we can,” added Puttipong.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=2019

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And get this, they fly into Chiang Mai, 4th BEST airport in WORLD (okay, okay, UNDER 5 million passengers).

https://seattle99.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/chiang-mai-airport-the-4th-best-in-the-world/

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PLUS, they have really cute flight attendents!

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But Air Asia, WOW!

>>> see related blog <<<

http://seattle98.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/air-asia-flight-attendants/

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Bangkok – Cabinet approves Don Mueang Airport development project

Via: MCOT

The Cabinet agreed with Bangkok’s Don Mueang development project to alleviate congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport, said Deputy Government Spokesman Chalitrat Chandrubeksa.

Suvarnabhumi Airport will be promoted as the regional aviation hub while Don Mueang Airport will serve low cost airlines and domestic flights to make the most of the two airports, the deputy spokesman said.

The prime minister ordered ministries and agencies concerned to improve the airport’s facilities for airlines voluntarily deciding to relocate their service to Don Mueang.

Suvarnbhumi Airport accommodates 47 million passengers per year. About 14 commercial airlines, including those offering charter flights, will move their bases to Don Mueang Airport. 

Under the plan of the Airports of Thailand Pcl to improve Don Mueang Airport, about Bt1.6 billion will be spent on upgrading runways and other facilities.

The full complete service will officially start in October and will help reduce the passenger load at Suvarnabhumi Airport by 7-8 million people annually.

http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/378719.html

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personal thought:

Flying ‘Chiang Mai-Bangkok-Chiang Mai’, I’ve ALWAYS much preferred Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi.

And my airline of choice has always been Nok Air; but, I might now need to give Air Asia a second look.

Okay, okay, third!

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related posts:

‘(1 of 2) Air Asia – Flight Attendants’

http://seattle98.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/air-asia-flight-attendants/

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‘(2 of 2) Air Asia – Flight Attendants’

http://seattle98.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/2-of-2-air-asia-flight-attendants/

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