Bangkok Don Mueang Int'l Airport

Thailand’s Nok Air to stick with domestic focus following ownership restructure and fleet renewal

Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air is entering a new phase in its development as it plans major capacity growth and pursues a closer relationship with part-owner Thai Airways. But at least for now Nok will remain focused entirely on the domestic market despite the potential opportunity to fill the void in Thai’s group strategy left by previously planned international LCC Thai Tiger.

Nok is one of the oldest LCCs in Asia, having just celebrated its seventh birthday, but is perhaps the least known as its brand, while very strong locally, has virtually no international exposure. The carrier’s profitability and success at carving out a niche by focusing on the local Thai market, and particularly the country’s younger generation, has gone largely noticed in the global industry. Nok has quietly grown to become a major player in Thailand, accounting for a 20% share of Thailand’s fast-growing domestic market according to capacity data from Innovata.

Thai Airways’ net profit surges, but outlook rapidly deteriorating

Thai Airways announced a handsome increase in profit in the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal year ended 31-Mar-2010, but the outlook for the airline – and the Thai nation – is deteriorating by the day. Anti-government protesters are engaged in running battles that have left 30 dead and over 230 injured since last Thursday. The government has announced it is extending the state of emergency to a further five provinces, bringing the total to 17. A protest leader has warned the situation could deteriorate into civil war.

Thai Airways: The year for answers

Big questions are being asked of the Thai flag carrier this

year. Its strategies for dealing with some of the big challenges facing it in

2007 will have long-term consequences:

Thai budget airlines want to move back to Bangkok's old airport - UPDATE

Bangkok (XFNews-ASIA) - Thailand's low-cost carriers said they want to move their operations back to Bangkok's old airport, citing increased costs at the capital's new international airport.