“Aiming for 50% market share in Asia”Thai AirAsia celebrates its 9th anniversary on Monday by putting into service its first Airbus A3320 new generation equipped with winglets. An opportunity for Tassapon Bijleveld, Thai AirAsia CEO to unveil 2013 plans for the Thai carrier.
How many passengers did you transport last year and what are your target for 2013?
Tassapon Bijleveld– Thai AirAsia carried last year over 8.3 million passengers, representing a growth of over 20% from the previous year with our load factor reaching 82%. I am particularly pleased about our expansion domestically. Since we started in 2004, Thai AirAsia accommodated over 35 million passengers with a fleet of 27 Aircraft. For 2013, we target another growth of 20% as we will put into service 8 new Airbus A320. We will then overpass the 10-million passengers mark.
Which are the routes that these new aircraft will serve?
Tassapon Bijleveld– They will help to densify our existing network, especially on domestic routes. We plan for example to increase the number of daily frequencies out of Bangkok to Phuket from 10 to 15 flights per day but also to add more frequencies to our top domestic destinations such as Chiang Mai, Krabi or Hat Yai. On these top routes, we aim to have by the end of this year a market share close to 50% or even more. We do not have any plans to open new destinations as I think that we already well cover all major destinations in Thailand. However, we could position ourselves in the future on a route between Chiang Rai and Phuket as well as along an East-West corridor.
Despite the arrival of 7 aircraft this year, little is said about new international destinations. Why?
Tassapon Bijleveld – We open last year 9 new destinations, a number which never happened before in our history. We need now to consolidate but it does not mean that we will stay inactive. We plan at least two to three new destinations in China and Indochina. We will fly to Kunming by the middle of the year and study a new route to Nanning. We are also keen to serve more destinations in Myanmar such as Nay Pyi Daw or Bagan. However, ground services in Myanmar must be improved before we envision to launch new routes. But I know that the Myanmar government works now on privatizing ground handling operations at airports.
Any additional frequencies on international routes?
Tassapon Bijleveld– Absolutely. Our aim is to offer at least two daily flights to most destinations. We will for example increase our flight to Mandalay by adding a second daily service. We want also to go up to 4 to 5 daily flights to Yangon, Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. We also added a fifth daily frequency to Singapore and a eigth daily flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Are you satisfied with your operation at Don Mueang airport?
Tassapon Bijleveld– Yes, we definitely are! Our passengers can now proceed from the taxi to their gate in 30 minutes maximum. Queuing at check in has been reduced to a couple of minutes, while security and immigration is also down to an average of 10 to 15 minutes. We now study the possibility to offer a premium service at the airport such as the access of a lounge. But I cannot say more for now.
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.
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