Thai AirAsia (TAA), Thailand's biggest low-cost carrier, aims to launch 2-3 new routes to China this year. The move, with the support of the tourism industry, is expected to raise passenger numbers and revenue, says chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld.
The budget carrier expects the new routes to push its growth to 18%, far higher than the 12% projected for the overall airline sector, he said.
The new routes are to secondary cities in China, with TAA expecting to operate more routes to other small cities next year to capitalise on the growing number of tourists between Thailand and China.
"There will definitely be more synergies with [travel retail group] King Power, but at this stage we will use the company's connections to establish new flying routes, especially to China," said Mr Tassapon.
TAA currently has 14 routes to Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Wuhan, Xi'an, Kunming, Changsha, Shantou, Hangzhou, Nanning and Nanchang.
He said TAA is also interested in setting up new routes to India as the country has started to loosen its aviation regulations. TAA, however, will maintain its focus on Asean by opening new routes between cities in the region where it currently operates routes and other cities in Thailand.
This year TAA is aiming for 16.9 million passengers, up from 14.8 million in the previous year, said Mr Tassapon.
"The economy has not affected our business much since tourists keep coming to the country, although political stability is very crucial," said Mr Tassapon.
He said competition in the Thai low-cost airline market will not be as high as last year since some of the airlines have already increased their prices due to a recovery in oil prices.
Mr Tassapon said AirAsia had been named the World's Best Low-Cost Airline for the eighth consecutive year at the World Airline Awards held at Farnborough International Airshow on Tuesday. He said the accolade comes as a result of the consistent quality of service provided by the airline.
At the event, AirAsia Group also signed a deal to buy 100 Airbus A321neos to support the airline's expansion, 30 of which will be used to serve TAA.
TAA operates 49 aeroplanes, with the number expected to reach 51 after the delivery of the two A320neos in September and November this year, he said.
Mr Tassapon said 5-6 new planes will be joining the fleet each year, with half of them intended to serve new routes..