Thai Vietjet sticks to domestic tactics

Thai Vietjet hopes to spur the domestic market by adding five new domestic routes in the second half of the year, but is halting fleet expansion this year because of uncertainty from the outbreak. Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh, Thai Vietjet chairwoman, said while the airline is waiting to resume international flights once the government announces the next open stage for inbound and outbound travellers in the wake of the pandemic, it has to streamline fleet operations by flying just seven jets this year. The airline has a total fleet of 11 jets, made up of Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 models. While Thai Vietjet services only domestic routes, she said the number of passengers in July increased about 10% compared with the last two weeks in June. "A growth trend is possible in July, thanks to government support to stimulate domestic tourism," said Binh. The airline resumed all seven domestic routes, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Krabi and Udon Thani, as well as flights from Phuket and Udon Thani to Chiang Rai, totalling 336 flights per week. The five new routes Thai Vietjet plans to introduce are flights from Bangkok to Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani and Surat Thani.<br/>