11/08/2019 16:48

One more flight to Bangkok

[IMG=18527-4122] On air flights Moscow - Bangkok the competition increases. According to specialists, after Thai Airways flights appeared on the market, ‘Aeroflot’ turned to tit-for-tat responses, adding one more regular Saturday flight to the capital of Thailand. This way, the national carrier from the middle of November undertakes two flights at the same time on Saturdays- at 23.15 and at 23.35. According to a representative of the company’s press-service, the decision is dictated by the stable and good demand for the destination. However specialists find such an explanation quite odd: this year there is an excess of transportation on Moscow - Bangkok route (on the 9th of November BANKO reported about air flight offers to Bangkok for $350). So analysts tend to see the beginning of combat activity in the competition fight from ‘Aeroflot’ against Thai Airways, which have one Saturday flight. The war is expected to be serious. ‘Aeroflot’ has a good margin of safety to withstand the reduction game, say experts. Yet the Thai carrier is capable of showing its strength. ‘We have already entered the market and we feel confident. No mater how many flights, we will still be flying, even by reduced prices if it is needed’, says Sergey Mikhalkov, director of sales department. The company already offers some operators, who want to take large blocks of seats on hard condition, for the price, equal to ‘Aeroflot’ tariffs, and intend in the near future to bring other special offers to the market. Although the increase of flight frequency is not planned this season, it is expected only in a year. Meantime, tour operators cautiously study the situation. At the moment the loading of flights to Bangkok leaves much to be desired and one more plane will not help the market. ‘The second Saturday ‘Aeroflot’s flights is not justified and will cause the further price reduction’, - believes Tatiana Vand, director of ‘Vand International tour’. ‘The situation is terrible, and will become even worse if after New Year this frequency is not removed’, - adds Tamara Vsevolozhskaya, director of ‘Express Line’. However, among the most probable consequences of the fight between regular carriers is the volume reduction of charter programs.