Thai AirAsia X (TAAX), Thailand's first long-haul low-cost carrier, took delivery of its second Airbus A330-300 as it gears up for its maiden flight on June 17.
TAAX staff celebrate the arrival of the second Airbus 330-300 wide-body jet at Don Mueang airport.
The delivery of the "fairly new" wide-body jet bulks up its fleet to support its first year of flight operations covering South Korea and Japan.
The second aircraft joins TAAX, which has been operating charter tourist flights since April 1 between Bangkok's Don Mueang airport and Narita airport in Japan.
TAAX intends to use the two A330-300s for its own flights upon the service launch on June 17, with daily direct flights from Don Mueang to Incheon airport.
A month later, the airline is expected to commence direct flights to Japan to Narita and Kansai airports.
TAAX chief executive Nadda Buranasiri said the airline is on track for its June 17 launch.
"Since our launch announcement on April 22, the airline has received positive feedback and we are confident there is still demand for travel at this time,'' he said, referring to the Thai political turmoil.
"As the first low-cost, long-haul carrier in Thailand, we can get a head start in the market and establish our brand."
TAAX targets 200,000 passengers in its first year of operation. The carrier aims for a minimum load factor of 80% this year, with revenue of close to 1 billion baht and a 50:50 split between Thai and foreign passengers.
Northern China and Australia are on TAAX's radar screen as future destinations.