U-tapao airport draws interest

U-tapao airport draws interest

Long overlooked by airlines, navy-operated U-tapao airport is getting fresh attention from carriers seeking to develop new destinations.

Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia is due to inaugurate four weekly scheduled flights from Kuala Lumpur to the eastern Thai airport on July 16.

Sister carrier Thai AirAsia (TAA) has a grander plan to make U-tapao its new hub by linking it with China and other Thai cities, possibly starting in September or October.

Preceding the foray by AirAsia and TAA was Thai commuter carrier Kan Air's April 10 launch of five routes out of U-tapao.

Those flights connect with Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Bangkok's Don Mueang airport.

The trio's move will herald a new era for the airport, which sits 190 kilometres southeast of Bangkok in an area bordering Chon Buri's Sattahip district and Rayong's Ban Chang district.

The airport is sparsely used, with only Bangkok Airways operating limited regular turboprop flights to Koh Samui and Phuket.

Until recently, most airlines have shunned U-tapao's potential despite its proximity to Pattaya, known as a world-class destination for foreign tourists.

In past years it was used largely to cater to international charter flight operators ferrying tourists, mostly from Russia, to holidays in Pattaya.

But Russia's economic crisis has caused a steep plunge in arrivals and curtailed flights to the former base for long-range B-52 Stratofortress bombers of the US Air Force during the Vietnam War.

The influx of Chinese tourists to Pattaya, one of their top Thai destinations, is the main spur of TAA's planned connection with a number of Chinese cities, TAA commercial director Santisuk Klongchaiya said.

"We already have a strong base in China [with flights between Thailand and several Chinese cities], and they like coming to Pattaya for holidays, so it makes sense for TAA to set up an air link at U-tapao," he told the Bangkok Post.

"These Chinese also want to visit other Thai destinations, thus providing opportunities for us to connect U-tapao domestically with other Thai destinations that TAA is serving."

At the same time, there is demand from people living in the eastern coastal region including those working at huge industrial estates to fly out of the area's airport rather than catching flights from gateway Suvarnabhumi airport close to Bangkok in Samut Prakan province.

TAA is working on several fronts to develop U-tapao as a new hub.

The scheduled delivery of two additional Airbus A320-200 jets late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter could make this happen, the TAA executive said.

The launch of TAA and AirAsia flights through U-tapao is expected to provide a greater impetus for U-tapao than Kan Air's more limited service.

TAA normally offers a daily flight for a new route, and its A320 can accommodate up to 180 seats.

Kan Air operates with limited frequencies on a non-daily basis through U-tapao, using two ATR 72-500 turboprops with 60 seats each.

AirAsia's July 16 launch of Kuala Lumpur service to U-tapao is consistent with the same strategic view taken by TAA — that U-tapao airport can become an important route in AirAsia's overall network.

Spencer Lee, head of commercial at AirAsia, said the addition of Kuala Lumpur flights to U-tapao was consistent with the no-frills airline's continuous efforts to provide the widest route network in Asean and beyond.

"We are positive that this route will thrive and contribute significantly to tourism growth for both cities," he said.

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