Thai Airways International adds over 11,000 seats to meet Chinese New Year demand

Thai Airways International has increased flights and rotated aircraft allocation in preparation for travel during the Chinese New Year festival, affecting high traffic routes such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. THAI will offer an additional 11,000 seats for passengers travelling from those destinations into Thailand during the holidays, further boosting the country's tourist arrivals.

Mr. Suthep Suebsantiwongse, THAI's Executive Vice President, Commercial, announced that the 11,000 additional seats constitutes a 15% increase over the normal capacity of 73,000 seats to 85,000 seats to accommodate holiday-makers during the Chinese New Year. Additional flights and aircraft changes will be introduced on the following routes:

Bangkok-Shanghai

- Increase of six additional flights on 20, 22, 23, 26, 28 and 29 January 2004. 
- Change of aircraft from Airbus 330-300 to Boeing 777-300 on 17, 25, 29, 30 and 31 January 2004. 

Bangkok-Beijing

- Increase of two additional flights on 22 and 28 January 2004. 
- Change of aircraft from Airbus 330-300 to Boeing 777-300 on 19, 21, 23, 26 and 27 January 2004. 
- Change of aircraft from MD11 to Boeing 777-300 on 15 January 2004. 
- Change of aircraft from MD11 to Boeing 747-400 on 29 January 2004. 

Bangkok-Hong Kong

- Increase of two additional flights on 21 and 25 January 2004.

Bangkok-Guangzhou

- Change of aircraft from Airbus 330-300 to Boeing 777-300 on 16, 18, 20 and 24 January 2004. 
- Change of aircraft from Airbus 330-300 to Boeing 747-300 on 22 January 2004. 
- Change of aircraft from Airbus 300-600 to Boeing 747-400 on 26 January 2004.

Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur

- Increase of four additional flights on 21, 23, 26 and 28 January 2004.

The increase in seat capacity is expected to meet the extra demand of international tourists visiting Thailand during the holiday period.