Thai Lion Air to Launch New Routes; Develop Hat Yai as Hub

Thai Lion Air has unveiled plans to launch new services to several new destinations in Thailand and overseas using an ATR 72-600.

This is the very first ATR to join Thai Lion Air’s fleet and the very first -600 model ATR to come to Thailand.

The -600 is ATR’s newest model of aircraft. It has a new avionics system from Thales and a new, improved passenger cabin.

The passenger cabin on the -600 is different to earlier models because it has lighter, more ergonomic seats and restyled, larger overhead bins with 10% more volume.

“Having the ATR allows us to operate to smaller cities and towns in Thailand and develop a more comprehensive domestic network. In some instances we will be pioneering new routes,” said Andi Burhan, executive managing director of Thai Lion Air.

Thai Lion Air’s first ATR will be stationed in Hat Yai and will be used to provide a five-times weekly service to Hua Hin and a three-times weekly service to Surat Thani both starting 21 March 2014.

Thai Lion Air will also operate the ATR 72-600 from Hat Yai to Medan, Indonesia two-times weekly starting on 6 April and from Hat Yai to Subang Kuala Lumpur four-times weekly starting 21 March.

Thai Lion is the first to offer a scheduled non-stop service from Hat Yai to Hua Hin and from Hat Yai to Surat Thani.

“We chose Hat Yai to be our second hub, because it is a gateway into southern Thailand and we know that many people want to travel to southern Thailand for business and leisure. There are a lot of popular holiday destinations in southern Thailand,” said Burhan. “We will also be encouraging Thais to explore neighbouring countries, namely Indonesia and Malaysia.”

Thai Lion Air has already received regulatory approval from Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to operate these new domestic and international routes. And some of the domestic airports it will be operating to, such as Hua Hin, are operated by the DCA.

Promotional one-way fares are as follows: Hat Yai-Hua Hin 1,000 THB, Hat Yai-Surat Thani 700 THB, Hat Yai- Subang 1,000 THB and Hat Yai-Medan 1,000 THB.