Bangkok Airways

Myanmar set to become Asia’s next big aviation growth market

Myanmar’s aviation market is poised to enter a major period of growth as the country begins to open up following landmark elections earlier this month that were won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The election was seen as a turning point for Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and the start of a more favourable business environment, including for aviation. Several Asian carriers and airport operators have identified near-term opportunities in Myanmar. The opportunities for all types of carriers – local and foreign, domestic and international, low-cost and full service – face no limitations in the medium term as the Myanmar market is now the most underserved market in ASEAN and perhaps all of Asia.

Myanmar’s two existing international airports, at Rangoon and Mandalay, are to be partially privatised while a recently opened new airport at the new capital of Naypyitaw will soon start to handle international flights. There are also plans for upgrading several domestic airports, many of which lack basic infrastructure.

Thai Airways to use Thai Smile to fight back at AirAsia and rapid LCC growth in Thailand

Thai Airways’ new regional unit, Thai Smile, will initially compete primarily against Thai AirAsia on domestic routes when it launches services at the middle of next year. While Thai Smile will offer some frills and connect with Thai Airways and other Star Alliance carriers, the unit’s lower cost base is designed to compete more effectively against Thai’s largest local rival.

The Thai Airways board late last month approved the brand name Thai Smile, replacing Thai Wing, which has been the provisional name since the board initially approved in May-2011 the creation of a new regional airline unit. Thai Smile is now aiming to launch domestic services in Jul-2012 from a base at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, following a hybrid model that is part LCC and part full-service regional carrier.

Cambodia Airports records strong traffic growth as one of ASEAN's smallest markets shows potential

Cambodia Airports has been experiencing strong traffic growth in 2011 as traffic at Siem Reap recovers to 2007 levels. The recently rebranded airport operator, which is owned primarily by French firm Vinci, expects continued growth at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh while it continues to work on attracting a carrier to its third airport at Sihanoukville.

Thai Airways delays launch of Thai Tiger Airways again; Thai AirAsia preparing strategies to compete

Thai Airways has had a number of challenges in its plans to establish new LCC start-up, Thai Tiger Airways, under a JV with Singapore’s Tiger Airways. In its latest set back, the carrier has been forced to postpone the launch date of the LCC from Mar-2011 to late May-2011. However, the setbacks have not comforted competitors, with Thai AirAsia stating it is developing strategies to effectively compete with the new LCC.

Airline service quality: Southeast Asia sets the standard

When surveys are taken on quality, the airlines of Southeast Asia dominate. In the second of our series assessing the strengths and weaknesses of airlines through a sampling of traveller reviews taken from Skytrax, the focus moves to the Southeast Asian carriers.