Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s ticket sales in Laos during the summer period (April – October) have been on the increase, rising by 15 percent compared to the same period the previous year.
General Area Manager for the Lao PDR, Ms Parinee Chathrakupt reported the figures on Monday during a presentation for 15 top ticketing agents recognised for their excellence in Vientiane.
Ms Parinee explained that Thai Airways would still be able to grow its bookings from Vientiane to Bangkok even though there is the prospect of potential competition from low cost airlines as their markets are rather different.
For example, Thai Airways is a premium airlines with full services, and its marketing staff focus on network sales for passengers who want to travel to a third country.
Thai Airways has good connections with its partners, and co-shares booking around the world, so this is a strong point in terms of attracting sales in Laos.
At present, Thai Airways has divided its sales sections for beyond Thailand at 40 percent as well as its networks at 60 percent.
Ms Parinee also commented that low cost airlines will pose some challenges in terms of sales in Laos but stressed that Thai Airways is not particularly concerned because the services it offers are very different.
Thai Airways offers direct flights from Bangkok-Vientiane and Vientiane-Bangkok twice per day while it is considering offering return flights from Luang Prabang –Bangkok in the winter.
According to an official from the Civil Aviation Department, so far there are over 10 airlines flying within and to Laos, including the local airlines, and the flights from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Vietnam and South Korea.
Wattay International Airport Management Department reported that during 2014-2015, the national airlines recorded 24,895 domestic flights, an increase of 101.2 percent.
Meanwhile foreign airlines landing in Laos recorded 25,578 flights, an increase of 100.3 percent.
Source: Vientiane Times
