The Department of Airports (DoA) has launched incentives encouraging airlines to offer direct flights to and from the new Betong International Airport.
The airport is the 29th owned and operated by the state-run DoA. It is located on a 920 rai site about 13km east of downtown Betong in the southernmost province of Yala. The airport can support up to 300 passengers per hour, or 876,000 passengers a year. It has a 1,800m runway which can serve only small aircraft like a twin-engined ATR 72 or Q-400 that has up to 80 seats.
The construction is already completed and DoA schedules to open the airport next month. However, the opening might be postponed because the department has not yet received any request from airlines to offer domestic flights.
To promote the new facility, the department offers three-year discounts for terminal charges. It will provide 80% discounts in the first year, 65% in the second year and 50% in the third year. In addition, there will be a promotion for airlines to rent its office space at the airport.
Pata Gold Awards return
Pata Gold Awards are open for submission until May 28. Organised for the 26th consecutive year, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Gold Awards comprise two broad categories. One is Marketing which will comprise 14 Gold Awards and one Grand Title Winner. The other is Sustainability And Social Responsibility. It will have nine Gold Awards and one Grand Title Winner.
The winners will be announced live at the virtual Pata Gold Awards Ceremony on Sept 8 through the Pata YouTube channel.
Visit PATA.org/pata-gold-awards.
AIRLINES UPDATE
Thai Vietjet has partnered with Black Canyon to offer brewed coffee on flights.
The drinks include Black Canyon Drip Coffee (65 baht) and Iced Caffe Latte (75 baht). Passengers can pre-book the in-flight hot meal and beverage at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure at skyfun.vietjetair.com/foodanddrink.
AirAsia to resume operations on all 40 domestic routes in Thailand from April.
"AirAsia has been closely monitoring the Covid-19 pandemic and we are very pleased to be able to increase our flight services in view of the improving situation," said the airline CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya.
Starting next month, it will offer flights from Bangkok to 22 provinces as well as cross-regional domestic connections from Chiang Mai and Phuket. The airline will also increase flight frequency on popular routes such as from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai with 13 daily flights, Phuket (11 daily flights) and Hat Yai (8 daily flights). The flight frequency and seat capacity will return to the levels operating prior to the hit of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Santisuk.
Visit airasia.com.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATES
Pathumwan Princess Hotel introduces a "Stay Longer And Save More" promotion to offer 30% discount on rooms.
Prices for a night stay start from 1,400 baht when booking for a minimum of five nights. Guests will also receive a complimentary room upgrade to ExecuPlus Suite (valid until the end of April and subject to room availability), 20% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages and complimentary late check-out until 3pm for Deluxe Classic and ExecuPlus Suite and valid until Oct 31.
Visit pprincess.com or call 02-216-3700.
Booking.com has compiled a list of accommodation which give guests the experience of staying in space.
– Avagard Capsule Hotel (facebook.com/AvagardCapsuleHotel) is located in Suvarnabhumi airport. It offers five sleeping pods with a soundproof wall and spaceship bedroom ambience.
– Met a Space Pod @ Asoke (facebook.com/metaspacepodth) is located in Sukhumvit 18. It features 24 sleeping pods with options of 12 single beds and 12 double beds. Each spaceship-like capsule has a flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi service. The interior design of the hotel will give the experience of a cosmic adventure.
– Grande Centre Point Pattaya (grandecentrepointpattaya.com) has a mini waterpark with a cosmic space-wars theme.
– Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square offers the Siam Laser Game (novotelbkk.com/offers/siam-laser-game) in the basement of the hotel. The 1,300m² facility can accommodate up to 50 players for laser tag.
– Zion Hill Resort (facebook.com/zionhill.resort) and Behind Khaokho Hotel in Khao Kho district, Phetchabun, offer air-con bubble domes with a private balcony.