Thai AirAsia X launch postponed amid unrest
The launch of long-haul budget carrier Thai AirAsia X has been delayed due to falling travel demand amid anti-government protests in Thailand. No new date has been set for the launch, which was earlier planned for March.
Tassapon Bijleveld, Thai AirAsia’s CEO, acknowledged that the political cloud hanging over the country was the major factor behind the delay and said the first flight would take place once the country’s politics returned to normal.
At present, Thai AirAsia X has only one Airbus A330-300 in its fleet, with a second due to be delivered next month. The aircraft will for the time being be used for charter-flight service to earn money to cover their operational costs. AirAsia X is part of Malaysia-based low-cost giant AirAsia.
Thai AirAsia X, meanwhile, was set up in Bangkok. The new carrier received its air operator’s certificate from the Civil Aviation Department earlier in February. Tassapon declined to reveal which countries Thai AirAsia X would fly to, but said that in the early stages three destinations were being planned.
There have been media reports that the carrier will fly to two countries – South Korea and Japan – where there is high demand due to their being major destinations for Thai tourists.
The launch of long-haul budget carrier Thai AirAsia X has been delayed due to falling travel demand amid anti-government protests in Thailand. No new date has been set for the launch, which was earlier planned for March. Tassapon Bijleveld, Thai AirAsia's CEO, acknowledged that the political cloud hanging over the country was the major factor behind the delay and said the first flight would take place once the country's politics returned to normal. At present, Thai AirAsia X has only one Airbus A330-300 in its fleet, with a second due to be delivered next month. The aircraft will for the...
The launch of long-haul budget carrier Thai AirAsia X has been delayed due to falling travel demand amid anti-government protests in Thailand. No new date has been set for the launch, which was earlier planned for March.
Tassapon Bijleveld, Thai AirAsia’s CEO, acknowledged that the political cloud hanging over the country was the major factor behind the delay and said the first flight would take place once the country’s politics returned to normal.
At present, Thai AirAsia X has only one Airbus A330-300 in its fleet, with a second due to be delivered next month. The aircraft will for the time being be used for charter-flight service to earn money to cover their operational costs. AirAsia X is part of Malaysia-based low-cost giant AirAsia.
Thai AirAsia X, meanwhile, was set up in Bangkok. The new carrier received its air operator’s certificate from the Civil Aviation Department earlier in February. Tassapon declined to reveal which countries Thai AirAsia X would fly to, but said that in the early stages three destinations were being planned.
There have been media reports that the carrier will fly to two countries – South Korea and Japan – where there is high demand due to their being major destinations for Thai tourists.
