Trichy: Thai AirAsia launched a new non-stop flight between Trichy and Bangkok on Saturday with the inaugural flight from here registering 96% occupancy. Thailand is the ninth country and 11th international destination to be connected by Trichy airport. Stakeholders believe the service will help improve tourism, cultural and trade ties with southeast Asia through the Tamil diaspora in the region.
The flight will operate thrice a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Apart from outbound tourism, aviation analysts say that traders and entrepreneurs exploring business ties and eyeing trade exhibitions in east Asia including China, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan will benefit. The flight from Don Mueang international airport in Bangkok will take off at 8.30 pm and reach Trichy international airport at 10.35 pm. In the return direction, it will leave Trichy at 11.05 pm and reach Bangkok at 4.15 am. The maiden service from Bangkok had 51 passengers on board.
“So far, people from central and southern Tamil Nadu were going to either Chennai or Bengaluru to take a flight to Bangkok. The direct service will benefit a wide range of people. We are planning literary and cultural events to promote the ties between two countries,” Ammanur Saravanakumar, organiser, Thailand Tamil Federation, said.
Stakeholders added that a section of people reaching Tamil Nadu from China and Hong Kong may opt for the Bangkok-Trichy service. “Since Thailand is a budget tourism destination, outbound tourism will certainly be high, especially among young travellers. But, to sustain inbound tourism, stakeholders will have to propose a plan, probably by promoting places with spiritual significance,” S A Mubashir, vice-president, Trichy Tourism Federation, said.