Runway work to cut capacity

Aircraft operators at Suvarnabhumi, Thailand's gateway airport, are braced for impact with the scheduled closure of part of a runway for repairs.

A 1,250-metre section of the northern runway, 4,000 metres in overall length, will undergo scheduled maintenance involving resurfacing from March 3 to May 5.

The 60-day job will reduce the airport's overall capacity to handle aircraft movements to 60 an hour from the current 68.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...o-cut-capacity


Thai AirAsia adds Mandalay flight

Thai AirAsia (TAA) is to introduce a second daily flight from Bangkok to Mandalay to meet stronger demand.

The additional service will commence on March 17, expanding the low-cost carrier's (LCC) footprint in the emerging travel market.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, commercial director for TAA, said the airline's services to Myanmar have grown in popularity as Thais like to travel to the republic to pay homage at its holy sites.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...andalay-flight


THAI Smile aiming for premium status

THAI Smile appears to be ushering in a new era with its market positioning and growth strategy better defined and executed.

The wholly owned subsidiary of flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) has now ascertained it will become a premium full-service carrier, boosting its regional footprint in a bid to become one of Asia's leading airlines over the next five years.

The low-profile THAI Smile is ending its confusing past status, once as a budget airline and then as a "light premium" carrier to be a fully-fledged legacy airline in the same league as Singapore's SilkAir and Cathay Dragon, previously Dragonair, of Hong Kong.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...premium-status