BANGKOK — AirAsia is introducing new direct flights from Bangkok to the city of Tiruchirappalli, also known as Trichy, the sacred capital of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Starting off with three weekly flights on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the new service is set to take off from September 21, 2024 with promotional fares starting from only 2,990 THB for a one-way trip.
Promotional fares are available for booking from today (4 June 2024) up until 16 June 2024 for traveling from September, 21, 24 to March 29, 2025, via the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com website.
Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of Thai AirAsia, said that AirAsia is strengthening its presence in the Indian market by expanding its network to 11 routes with the addition of Tiruchirappalli, a strategic city in southern India that serves as a hub for commerce, industry and education in Tamil Nadu.
Must-visit highlights of the city include the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest Hindu temple in the world and a major attraction of southern India. Built in the 10th century, the temple is a stunning example of Tamil Nadu architecture with colorful deities decorating its gopuram, one of which stands magnificently at 73 metre tall. Visitors would also want to see the Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Rockfort Temple, havens of history and Indian design.
Thai AirAsia currently flies from Bangkok to India on 11 routes serving Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Bangalore, Gaya, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and the new addition Tiruchirappalli, flying a total frequency of 53 flights per week.
Indian travelers make up the majority of passengers on AirAsia flights between India and Thailand at 80-90 percent with load factors averaging at a high 88 percent, indicating India’s huge market potential for AirAsia.
AirAsia’s marketing efforts to attract Indian tourists align with the growing trend of Indians visiting Thailand more frequently due to the government’s policy of extending free visas to Indians.
According to Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharoke, Thailand has attracted more Indian tourists as a result of the visa-free measure. The Thai cabinet earlier approved the extension of a temporary visa exemption for visitors from India not exceeding 30 days, effective from May 11, 2024 to November 11, 2024.
Consequently, the searches for Thailand on the platform Airbnb, an online marketplace for lodging, have risen over 200% from the number in 2023. Airbnb states that Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Koh Samui are the five most-searched destinations in Thailand.
