THAI Holds Press Conference to Launch Flights to Vienna, Mr. Viroj Sirihorachai, THAI Vice President, Revenue Management and Commercial Services Department, and Ms. Verena Hable, Media Relations Manager, Vienna Tourist Board, jointly held a press conference to introduce THAI's new route from Bangkok-Vienna, Austria at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.

Mr. Viroj Sirihorachai, on behalf of Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo, THAI Acting President and Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, said, “The European market is substantial in size and potential and is growing on a continual basis.  Data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand in 2016 shows that approximately six million tourists traveled from Europe to Thailand, an increase of 6.8% from 2015.  Tourists from Eastern Europe, including those from Austria in Central Europe, ranked fifth amongst European tourist arrivals in Thailand or an increase of 10.5% from 2016.  Currently, THAI flies to 12 destinations in 10 countries in Europe: Copenhagen, Oslo, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Stockholm, London, Rome, Milan, and Moscow, which equates to more than 80 flights per week.  During Jan-June2017, approximately 3.4 million European tourists traveled to Thailand, an increase of 7%, compared to the same period last year, whereby Eastern European including Austrians remained the fifth largest group and increased 17.3%.”

Opening flights to Vienna, the capital of Austria and the aviation center for Central Europe, enables the Company to serve passengers in neighboring Eastern European countries within a 300 kilometer radius.  These are countriessuch as Czech, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and Slovenia, with a combined population of approximately 32 million people (Vienna catchment area).  Information from Vienna Airport reports that 23.4 million passengers traveled to Vienna in 2016, an increase of 2.6% from 2015, whereby 73% of traffic were local passengers and 27% were transfer passengers.

Austria holds high potential in the region of Central and Eastern Europe.  The Republic of Austria ranked eighth out of 10 countries in the European Union in real GDP per capita in 2015 and 2016.  However, air traffic right restrictions for flights between Austria and Thailand resulted in a slight reduction inthegrowth rate for Austrian tourist arrivals into Thailand, which continued to decrease in 2014-2016.  In the first half of 2017, Austriantourist arrivals to Thailand have increased. By operating flights into Austria, THAI will effectively play a part in boosting tourist arrivals to Thailand.

Due to several factors, opening new flights to Vienna, Austria, which is located in Central Europe and is the gateway to the European region, will help connect passengers to other cities in Europe and from Europe to Thailand through THAI's route network.

THAI will officially open its new flights to Bangkok-Vienna on 16 November 2017.  Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria that has a geographically advantageous location, as it is beautifully situated in the midst of nature and surrounded by mountains. Centrally located, passengers can easily connect from Vienna to other cities in Europe and from Europe to Thailand conveniently on THAI's network. Vienna is renown for its revered residents, such as Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. As the city of music, Vienna is famous for its classical composers as well as Imperial Palaces that include Schonbrunn Palace and the Museumsquartier baroque district. Also enjoy the pleasure of Viennese cuisine, the various meats and strudels as well as the world famous Sachertorte that has its origins in Vienna.

THAI will operate roundtrip flights from Bangkok-Vienna, utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, equipped with 348 seats consisting of 42 seats in Royal Silk Business Class and 306 seats in Economy Class.  Four roundtrip flights per week will be operated on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, as follows:

Flight     Route    Departure           Arrival   Days of Service

TG936   Bangkok-Vienna               01.30hrs               07.00hrs               Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

TG937   Vienna-Bangkok               13.30 hrs             05.20 hrs(arrival next day; local time)      Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

For further information, reservations, and ticketing assistance, please visit thaiairways.com, contact any THAI sales office in Australia on 1300 651 960 or ask any travel agent for more information and the latest fares. 

Mr. Norbert Kettner, Managing Director, Vienna Tourist Board, said, “Vienna's appeal as a cosmopolitan city of music and culture, its globally networked economy and the multiple times it was named the most livable city in the world are just a few of the reasons for the great popularity of the Austrian capital – not only among the more than 6 million tourists, who visit the city each year, but also among international businesspeople. The Thai Airways direct flight connection from Bangkok will provide further strong impetus to Vienna and marks another step towards realizing our 2020 tourism strategy, which will see Vienna firmly positioned as a European gateway city in business, science and tourism.”

About Thai Airways International :

THAI, one of Asia's largest airlines, flies 39 times every week non-stop from Australia to Thailand with connections to Indochina, Indian Subcontinent, China, Japan, Asia, Middle East and Europe.  THAI is a full service carrier offering a tantalising choice of main meals, fine wines, generous luggage allowances, legendary service and frequent flyer miles for most travellers.  THAI has just recently won the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards for "Best Economy Class and Best Economy Onboard Catering" and "Best Airline Spa Lounge".

Experience the world's best Economy Class cabin and onboard catering on THAI, flying non-stop daily to Thailand and onwards to the most popular cities across Asia and Europe.  Explore THAI's new destination, Vienna, with its imperial sights, enchanting music and cultural charms from $1,212 return.

See thaiairways.com for more.

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