THAI to Establish More Air Routes to China

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 ◆ THAI to Establish More Air Routes to China

Thai Airways International (THAI),the national carrier,is planning to establish direct flights to more destinations in China as its new air linkage between in Bangkok and Chengdu China,becomes more popular,the state-owned radio reported Thursday.

The thrice-weekly flights between Bangkok and the capital of China's Sichuan Province have become increasingly popular among overseas visitors since it opened on January 2,as Sichuan houses a range of tourist attractions and is the home of world-famous giant panda.

THAI believes its investment in the new route to break even within six months.

The airline makes an annual profit of over 300 million baht (US$6.8millions) from its flights to five Chinese cities,including Beijing,Shanghai,Guangzhou,Shenzhen and Hong Kong,and now it is considering direct flights to four more destinations in China including Xiamen,Fuzhou,Xi'an and Shantou,after opening the Chengdu route.

Many Chinese travelers use Bangkok for onward flights to Europe and Southeast Asia,especially Malaysia and Singapore.Last year,about 800,000 Chinese citizens visited Thailand and THAI's new flights are expected to increase the number of Chinese visitors.