Dragonair to close Phuket office

PHUKET: In another indication of the sad state of tourism on the island, Hong Kong-based Dragonair has announced that it will close its Phuket City office, on Phang Nga Rd, on June 15.

Sutthisak Pungtamawatthanakun, Manager of Dragonair Phuket, explained that flights between Hong Kong and Phuket were suspended on January 5 due to the “post tsunami effect” and that unrest in the deep south of Thailand, particularly the bomb at Haad Yai airport, had resulted in an even sharper decline in air passengers.

“There will not be a scheduled service anymore – just ad hoc charter flights when there is sufficient demand during seasonal holidays,” K. Sutthisak said.

Dragonair has recently celebrated 20 years in aviation and was named the best Chinese airline for three consecutive years in a British survey.