Industry Briefs

Airline Industry Information, Dec 13, 2002

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

A new air route between Thailand and Bangladesh was officially opened yesterday (12 December). Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Bangladeshi counterpart Khaleda Zia travelled on the inaugural flight on the new Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Chittagong route.

Recently bankrupted carrier, United Airlines has announced plans to eliminate an unpopular USD100 standby fee. The move - scheduled to take effect next month - is expected to force other airlines to remove their standby fees.

Thai Airways International is considering investing in a THB2bn hotel at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The carrier - which already has interests in two hotels, the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Amari Airport Hotel - requires approval from its board of directors before it can invest in the project. The airline has, however, received approval to invest THB13.73bn in facilities at the new airport - which is scheduled to open in mid-2005.

Delta Air Lines has launched two sales - one offers travel during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while the other offers travel to selected US and Caribbean destinations during December 2002. The Christmas fares - available from USD68 round trip - require no advance purchase, and are available for travel between most cities within the 48 contiguous states served by Delta and the Delta Connection carriers. The December sale fares must be purchased by 16 December, and all travel must be completed by 31 December.

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