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Published on September 28, 2007

CEO Patee Sarasin said the disaster had not affected his airline's business. On the contrary, Nok Air bookings are increasing, with growth stemming from the airline's new "Bt3" domestic campaign that was launched prior to the accident.

The airline is considering its choice of insurance companies for next year. It is talking with 15 foreign insurance firms.

Patee said the airline would operate a Bangkok-Hanoi route from November 1, its second international route after service to Bangalore, India.

Nok Air will operate two daily flights between Bangkok and Hanoi on next-generation Boeing 737-800s, with a capacity of 190 seats. Nok Air's international flights operate out of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Moreover, it is considering flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Macau or Hong Kong, Madras, New Delhi and Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, it is scheduled to increase service domestically from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai.

Patee said the airline would take delivery of four new aircraft this year and eight more next year.

"We'll enhance the comfort of our next-generation Boeing 737-800s, which will be equipped with the newest modern interior design for passenger ease and safety, including larger windows for better views," Patee said. "Its fuel-efficiency means it is kinder to the environment, and reduced fuel consumption is certainly a positive in this era of high fuel costs."

Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia and the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) are promoting an "Experience Macau" campaign aimed at drawing more meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition visitors from Thailand.

MGTO marketing manager Jarunee Tantinukul said the campaign was meant to attract more Thai visitors to Macau this year.

During the first eight months, visitor arrivals to Macau reached 17.2 million, up 21.8 per cent year on year. Total visitor arrivals to Macau are expected to increase 14 per cent to 25 million this year.

Suchat Sritama,

The Nation