Direct Phuket-Pattaya flights take off

PHUKET: Bangkok Airways will launch direct Phuket-Pattaya flights on Sunday (March 28) – part of a general aviation expansion that also sees Hong Kong-based airlines Cathay Pacific and Dragonair getting access to some domestic routes within Thailand. Bangkok Airways’ Sales Executive in Phuket, Julalak Atiwattananon, told the Gazette that, starting March 28, the new Phuket-Pattaya service will fly on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Daily flights from to Phuket to Pattaya via Samui will continue. Passenger loads on Bangkok Airways’ Phuket-Samui-Pattaya route rose about 60% in February compared with January, K. Julalak said. The two Hong Kong-based airlines are likely to benefit from an air service agreement signed by the Hong Kong and Thai governments, which will allow Dragonair to fly to Phuket via Bangkok, The airline says this should increase the route’s profitability. Dragonair now flies from Hong Kong to Phuket three times a week and also flies Hong Kong-Bangkok. Now the airline will fly Hong Kong-Bangkok-Phuket, then return direct Phuket-Hong Kong. Sutthisak Pungtamawatthanakun, Dragonair Manager Phuket told the Gazette that the airline will not be able to pick up passengers from Bangkok for Phuket. He added that he was not sure when the new arrangement would begin. Cathay Pacific’s plans are not yet clear.