Bangkok Airways has announced plans to commence direct flights between the southern Thai resort island of Koh Samui and Kuala Lumpur.
The direct service between the Malaysian capital and Samui is aimed at boosting connectivity between one of the airline’s most vital destinations, and an international city.
- Bangkok Airways hopes to lure more tourists by offering greater connectivity with international destinations like Kuala Lumpur.
Thailand’s largest privately owned carrier will begin the Kuala Lumpur – Koh Samui flights from March 1, adding to the growing list of international destinations serviced by the boutique airline.
At present, Bangkok Airways operates flights to two international destinations from Samui International Airport, which is also owned by the airline. The other international cities to have a direct connection with Koh Samui are Singapore and Hong Kong.
The new service operated by Bangkok Airways includes a code share agreement with partner Malaysia Airlines, which Thai carrier hopes will provide a strong connection with connecting passengers from Asia, Europe and Australia, who want to travel to Samui.
“We expect half of the passengers travelling on Koh Samui-Kuala Lumpur to come from the transfer group, with the other half originating from the Malaysian capital,” said Varong Israsena na Ayudhya, Bangkok Airways’ regional sales director.
- The new service will use the airline’s fleet of Airbus A319 jets.
The daily hour-long flight will make use of the Airbus A319 jet, which is capable of carrying 138 passengers.
The cost of the flight between Koh Samui and Kuala Lumpur will cost approximately 8,500 baht.
Samui International Airport (USM) is a cash cow for the airline, which operates 30 flights a day between Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and the popular holiday resort island.
Other international carriers to service the small island in Surat Thani province, include Malaysian airline, Berjaya, as well as Singapore’s Silk Air. Thai Airways International also operate two daily flights from Bangkok.
