Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia X is returning to Australia, announcing new non-stop flights between Sydney and Bangkok from 2 December.
When it suspended the service on 1 August, the airline said it remained “committed to the Australia market” and would return to Sydney Airport with even more flights from December this year. True to its word, it’s done just that.
The Bangkok-based airline says the new service will now fly six times per week between Sydney and Bangkok, with flights operating on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (twice) and Saturday.
What’s more, it will also fly into Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) – which welcomes mostly regional and budget airlines – instead of the more commonly used Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). This has multiple potential benefits.
“Thai AirAsia X is returning to Sydney with a better network, schedule and enhanced connectivity spanning over 50 Aussie favourite destinations in Thailand and beyond to meet strong demand,” Thai AirAsia X CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said.
“Arriving at Don Mueang Airport makes the route even more convenient, placing passengers just 30 minutes from central Bangkok via public transport options such as the sky train (Red Line), airport bus and taxi cabs.
“Outbound travellers with connecting services will also save time at the airport by being able to quickly pass from check-in through immigration to their gate at the same airport with no need to change airport terminals like before.”
Bijleveld said that operating out of Don Mueang also “enables travellers to connect to many more Thai AirAsia destinations throughout Thailand and internationally”.
“Passengers can choose Fly Thru service at Don Mueang Airport to pass through immigration and receive their luggage at their terminal destination, allowing for even further journeys,” he explained.
To mark the carrier’s return Down Under, Thai AirAsia X is offering seats from AU$333 for direct flights to Bangkok. The sale will also include Fly Thru options via DMK to popular destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi in Thailand, as well as Da Nang in Vietnam and several cities in India, with fares from AU$422.43 each way. Tickets are on sale until 25 August 2024, for travel beginning 2 December.
AirAsia growth
Thai AirAsia X operates eight A330 jets but says it plans to expand its fleet to 11 by year-end, with further growth expected.
Earlier this year, parent company AirAsia announced its intention to become the first global budget network carrier. To this end, it recently unveiled AirAsia Group’s first-ever service to Africa, with low-cost carrier AirAsia X to operate Kuala Lumpur-Nairobi (Kenya) flights from later this year.
In February, AirAsia also said that it plans to grow its network to Europe and North America when its new spec aircraft are delivered in the coming years, operating a hub and spoke model with several new virtual hubs.
