Ahmedabad: Air Asia Thailand, the low cost international carrier of Air Asia group, today announced to start its direct flights from Ahmedabad, the largest city of Gujarat to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand from May 31.

Addressing a press conference here Rajkumar Paranthaman, Head of Marketing, AirAsia India and Ms. Cholada Siddhivarn, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai Office said that the flight would initially be operated four days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

‘Air Bus 320 with 180 seats (all economy) will be used for the operation. From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (AMD) it would operate as flight number FD145 at 2220 hours IST on the four days to reach Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok (DMK) at 0415 hrs (local time). From DMK on the same days it would fly at 1900hrs local time to reach AMD at 2150 hrs IST. (Thai time is 1 hr 30 minutes ahead of India time),’ Paranthaman informed.

To a query he said that Ahmedabad would be ninth Indian destination for Air Asia Thailand after Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar,Jaipur, Vishakhapatnam and Gaya (seasonal).

He also said that as Air Asia India had so far not got permissions to fly on international routes, it was not involved for this operation.

He said that there would be an special all inclusive one way promotional fare of Rs 4999/- for loyalty customers (who register on airlines portal). To another query he said that the airlines would look forward to run at least one daily flight and then increase the numbers. Vegetarian Indian/Gujarati food would be available on board and efforts were being made to include Jain cuisine in the menu too.

Ms. Cholada Siddhivarn said that there was huge tourism and trade potential in Ahmedabad and Gujarat and the new direct flight could be a medium to tap it.

‘Last year 1.5 million Indians had traveled to Thailand which was an increase of 12% from the previous year. Of the total visiting Indians 10% were from Gujarat,’ she informed.

DeshGujarat