Thai Airways to boost Indian services from 2008

Bangkok: Thai International Airways is increasing the frequency of its flights from Bangkok to India to 10 flights a week, from the summer of 2008. The decision comes on the back of soaring demand for the carrier''s service. In the process the carrier would have also advanced its timeline by six months.

The carrier has applied to India''s Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for additional frequencies and, if approved, it will seek permission for its case to be temporarily expedited, according to airline officials.

According to officials, Thai is also looking at increasing flights to Mumbai, India''s commercial capital, as well as enhancing the frequency of its services to Chennai, from four-times a week to a daily one. This is being done as the leisure and ethnic market heading to Malaysia is growing, airline executives said.

Thai also hopes to pick up its budget carrier Nok Air''s slot, after it became vacant when the carrier failed with its strategy of running a "shoppers" flight from the country.

The leasing company plans to buy and lease aircraft and offer on-demand air transport, terminal operation and aircraft maintenance and insurance services.