BANGKOK, July 1 — AirAsia Thailand is launching direct flights to Guangzhou and Hong Kong with close adherence to all travel policies, in a bid to help spur Thailand’s economic growth post-COVID-19.
In a statement, AirAsia Thailand said the airline would begin a weekly Bangkok-Hong Kong flight starting Aug 7 before increasing to twice and thrice-weekly in September and October this year.
It said a pilot roundtrip flight between Bangkok and Guangzhou will also be launched on July 13.
“The flight is being carried out to demonstrate the carrier’s readiness to serve routes to and from China as soon as the republic’s government announces the country’s official reopening.
“The world’s best low cost airline’s initial goal is to bring tourists from China and Hong Kong to Thailand to help spur economic growth post-pandemic.
“Emphasis will be placed on its wide domestic network offering connections to all the kingdom’s regions to attract long-stay tourists with high spending capability,” it said.
Thai AirAsia is confident that once foreign travel restrictions into China are further eased, the airline will be ready to return to full service between the two countries.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Thailand chief executive officer Santisuk Klongchaiya said AirAsia reaffirms its adherence to established stringent health and safety protocols as the airline launches direct flights to China and Hong Kong.
“China is Thailand’s number one market for tourists and is home to a large population with high spending power.
“While the government of China has yet to fully allow foreign tourists, the relaxation of some measures has allowed the airline to restart its service and signals recovery for the country’s economy and tourism sector.
“These two initial routes provide us with an opportunity to welcome visitors to Thailand, which is already a very popular destination that many travellers from China and Hong Kong have been highly anticipating for the past two years. With restrictions further relaxed in Thailand, we have been marketing heavily in China and Hong Kong to tap these tourism markets to sustain strong recovery post-pandemic,” he said.
On Tuesday, the National Health Commission of China announced that quarantine at a centralised facility, such as a hotel is cut to seven days compared to 14 and 21 days.
Travellers will need to spend three additional days at home before they can venture out.
Previously, overseas arrivals in China had to spend 14 to 21 days in centralised quarantine, depending on the city of entry and destination within the country.
At present, travellers to Hong Kong are required to undergo screening procedures. Arrivals are required to be fully vaccinated, must produce a COVID-19 test result and required to undergo quarantine.
