Thai Airways International Launches First Flight to Chittagong

On 11 December 2002, Thai Airways International will begin flight operations on the route Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chittagong, the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

H.E. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and H.E. Begum Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh will preside over the official launch of THAI's flight operation on 12th December in Chittagong, said Kanok Abhiradee, Thai's President.

Thai Airways will be operating thrice weekly flights on the route Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chittagong, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, utilising Boeing 737-400 aircraft, capable of accommodating 149 passengers, with 12 business class and 137 economy class seats.

Chittagong is the largest port of Bangladesh on the Bay of Bengal Bangladesh is promoting Chittagong as a key business area of the country, especially for garment trading as there are a number of industrial manufacturing plants in the area. Chittagong also exports large amount of fishery products to other countries including Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as vegetables to countries in the Middle East and Europe. Other important export products are electrical appliances, eye glass lens and personal amenities, all of which would benefit from direct shipment from Chittagong, avoiding the six hour road journey involved when shipping from Dhaka.

Chittagong is the 59th destination on Thai's network. Currently, Thai Airways operates daily flights to Dhaka in Bangladesh, utilising MD-11 and Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Chittagong is the second destination for Thai Airways in Bangladesh.