On May 22, 2012, low cost carrier AirAsia flight FD3462 took off from Chiang Mai International Airport to Macau for its maiden flight…
CHIANG MAI- On May 22, 2012, low cost carrier AirAsia flight FD3462 took off from Chiang Mai International Airport to Macau for its maiden flight. The new frequency is the only air connection linking directly Northern Thailand to the Special Administrative Region in China. The brand-new Airbus A320 plane departed at 16.15hrs and landed in Macau at 19.55.
Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia indicated during the inaugural flight that “as the first and only airline connecting Chiang Mai to Macau, we can expect a significant number of incoming Chinese travellers to northern Thailand. Each year over 1 million Chinese visitors come to Thailand and Chiang Mai is among their top 3 destinations. For northern Thailand residents, Macau is also a convenient gateway to Hong Kong which is only a ferry ride away. With our low fares and convenient connectivity, those flying from Chiang Mai can avoid the transit in Bangkok, fly directly to Macau, and easily enjoy Hong Kong all in one trip.”
Travellers from mainland China can also use their plane booking to Chiang Mai to access Macau for up to 14 days, without applying for an entry permit to Macau as normally required, which presents them with the opportunity to enjoy both Macau and Chiang Mai on the same trip.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
