Sayonara, AirAsia
Last August, Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, AirAsia, launched AirAsia Japan, its subsidiary with All Nippon Airways (ANA), to operate cheap flights from Tokyo to domestic destinations in Japan. Having reported a loss, though, ANA decided to buy out all of AirAsia’s stakes and dissolve AirAsia Japan in October. The as-yet-unnamed new low-cost airline will re-launch in December to fly to resort destinations like Hawaii and Guam.
Mingalaba Mandalay
Following AirAsia and THAI Airways’ lead, Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com) will start operating direct flights from Bangkok to Mandalay, Myanmar’s economic hub in the north, from Sep 15. There will be four flights a week on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun, leaving Suvarnabhumi Airport at noon. The flight takes one hour and 20 minutes and will be operated by a 144-seat Airbus 319. A roundtrip ticket is from B7,395, inclusive of taxes and fuel charge.
