Budget airline Thai AirAsia has announced it will add 30 new Airbus A320s to its fleet by the middle of next year.

Having celebrated the airline's third anniversary yesterday, CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said the new fleet would allow Thai AirAsia to increase its flight frequency from 76 flights a day at present to 114 a day next year. Tassapon is aiming for 240 flights a day within the next five years.

The new Airbus A320s are among 100 ordered by the Malaysia-based AirAsia group last year. Tassapon said they would gradually replace the airline's old aircraft by the middle of next year.

He is confident Thai AirAsia's annual passenger numbers will grow 20-30 per cent annually over the next decade.

The International Air Transport Association has forecast that air traffic in Asia will increase almost 7 per cent this year, compared with only 5 per cent in North America and Europe, fuelling growth in the global aviation industry.

Next year, Thai AirAsia's revenues will climb to Bt3.8 billion from this year's Bt2.2 billion, Tassapon said. The budget carrier plans to invest Bt100 million next year in an "Amazing Thai AirAsia" campaign to promote its low fares. The CEO is optimistic the airline will be able to increase its revenues 50 per cent a year for the next 10 years.

Relying heavily on its pricing strategy, Thai AirAsia has attracted 6 million passengers to date. So far this year, it has carried 3 million travellers.

As part of its third-anniversary celebrations, Thai AirAsia, in partnership with Mazda Sales Thailand, LG Mitr Electronics Thailand and Best Western Hotels, will give away 300 prizes worth a total of more than Bt3 million in a lucky draw.

To enter, customers must book tickets online this month from December 6-20 and fly between January 8 and March 31, 2007.

The top prizes will be a scarlet Mazda 3 sports sedan, LG plasma television sets, mobile phones and domestic and international tour packages.