Fah Thai Magazine May June 2019

BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS
HRH PRINCESS UBOLRATANA
RAJAKANYA VISITS BANGKOK
AIRWAYS BOOTH AT ITB 2019
Recently, HRH Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Siri Vadhana Phannavadi
visited the Bangkok Airways booth at the fairgrounds for the
Internationale Tourismus Borse 2019 (ITB) in Berlin, Germany. On
hand to greet the Princess was Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth,
Bangkok Airways President and his spouse, Mrs. Dennapa Prasarttong-
Osoth (front row, right and left, respectively) and Mr. Varong Israsena
Na Ayudhya, Vice President – Sales (back row, right).
ITB Berlin is widely respected as the world’s leading travel
show and held annually in March in Berlin. Bangkok Airways first
attended the fair in 1998.
เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ ทูลกระหม่อมหญิงอุบลรัตนราชกัญญา สิริวัฒนาพรรณวดี
เสด็จฯ เยี่ยมชมบูธของสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ณ งานไอทีบี กรุงเบอร์ลิน
สหพันธ์สาธารณรัฐเยอรมนี โดยมีนายพุฒิพงศ์ ปราสาททองโอสถ
กรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ (แถวหน้าขวา) นางเด่นนภา ปราสาททองโอสถ
(แถวหน้าซ้าย) และนายวรงค์ อิศรเสนา ณ อยุธยา รองกรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่
ฝ่ายขาย (แถวหลังขวา) เฝ้ารับเสด็จฯ
งานไอทีบี เบอร์ลิน ได้รับการยกย่องว่าเป็นงานมหกรรมด้านการท่อง
เที่ยวเพื่อส่งเสริมการขายที ่ใหญ่ที่สุดในโลก ซึ่งจัดเป็นประจำทุกปีในเดือน
มีนาคม ณ กรุงเบอร์ลิน ทั้งนี้ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สได้เข้าร่วมงาน
จัดแสดงครั้งแรกในปี พ.ศ. 2541
BANGKOK AIRWAYS
BUSINESS OUTLOOK 2019
Bangkok Airways’ airline executives, led by Mr. Puttipong
Prasarttong-Osoth, President, with Mr. Prote Setsuwan, Vice
President – Marketing, and Mr. Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya, Vice
President – Sales, together presented the company’s business
outlook for 2019 at the InterContinental Hotel in Bangkok.
Mr. Puttipong commented that, "In 2018, the total revenue
of the company was at 27,943.6 million baht. Net profit
amounted to 356.8 M baht, in which the profit attributable
to the equity holders of the company was 249 M baht.
Earnings per share was 0.12 baht.”
He added that the total number of passengers in 2018
reached 5.95 million passengers, an increase by 0.1 per cent
from the previous year due to the growth of point-of-sale in
overseas markets, which was up by 15.0 per cent compared
to same period last year.
“In 2019, the number of passengers is expected to grow
3 per cent while the passenger revenue is expected to grow
at 3.5 per cent. The passenger load factor in 2019 is expected
to be at 72 per cent in which passenger load factor in 2018
was at 68.6 per cent. In 2018, we offered new non-stop
services linking Thailand and some of the main cities in CLMV
to serve the growing travel demand, such as Chiang Mai-Hanoi
(Vietnam). In addition to that, we also increased flight frequency
between Bangkok-Vientiane (Laos) from 7 flights a week to
14 flights a week, Bangkok-Mandalay (Myanmar) from 7 flights
a week to 11 flights a week and Bangkok-Phu Quoc (Vietnam)
from 4 flights a week to 7 flights a week.”
For company subsidiaries and associated companies in
airport-related performances, Mr. Puttipong announced an
improvement for 2018. Currently, Bangkok Air Catering (BAC)
has a 25 per cent market share, with a total of 20 airline clients
at Suvarnabhumi airport, 12 clients at Phuket airport and
Gourmet Primo Co., Ltd. has 12 in number. Worldwide Flight
Services Bangkok Air Ground Handling Company Limited
(BFS Ground) has a 56 per cent market share and is currently
serving 79 airline clients. Bangkok Airways Ground Service
Company Limited (PGGS) has a 49 per cent market share
and has a total of 69 airline clients.
“Regarding our route expansion plans for 2019, we will still
focus on expanding our network to cover the most important
destinations throughout CLMV in order to facilitate our
passengers and our codeshare partners. We will further utilise
our strategic flying hubs which are Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi),
Samui and Chiang Mai by offering new non-stop services
from these airports to selected high potential destinations
in Thailand and CLMV countries such as Bangkok-Cam Ranh
(Vietnam) which was launched in January 2019. We also plan
to launch two new routes from Chiang Mai, namely Chiang
Mai-Krabi (one way) and Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang (Laos) at
the end of March and the beginning of April, respectively. In
addition to that, we plan to increase flight frequency between
Bangkok and popular destinations such as
Bangkok-Danang (Vietnam) from 7 flights per
week to 14 flights per week, starting March
1, 2019 and Krabi-Bangkok from 21 flights
per week to 28 flights per week, starting from
March 31, 2019,” Mr. Puttipong informed.
“Moreover, we will increase the number of our
codeshare partners. To date, Bangkok Airways
is in partnership with 27 airlines around the
world, including our latest partner – Philippines
Airlines. In 2019, we expect to sign more
agreements with 2 to 3 carriers.”
For this year, the company plans to invest
in many projects such as aircraft-related projects
which have a total budget of 1,815 M baht for
the purchase of 2 ATR72-600 aircrafts (scheduled
delivery, 2nd quarter of 2019), the purchase
of aircraft spare parts, cabin refurbishment for
our Airbus aircraft (2019-2021), airport-related
projects such as the Sukhothai Airport runway
extension and facility renovation (958 million
baht), Trat Airport’s runway extension and
development (334 million baht). Additionally,
IT systems-related projects such as Passenger
Services Systems which will transfer from Sabre
to Amadeus, and the Organization Development
System (SAP-ERP) which has a total budget of
193 million baht. The airline plans to to invest
in other aviation-related businesses such as
the aviation training centre. For their catering
business, plans are in place to expand the
Bangkok Air Catering business by opening a new
air catering house at Chiang Mai International
Airport (expected to be in operation by the
2nd quarter of 2019). “Moreover, we plan to
expand our culinary ventures beyond airline
catering by opening a new Thai restaurant
called – Ruen Noppakao,” it was announced.
“Bangkok Airways continually strives to
support and be involved in Corporate Social
Responsibility activities which remain one of
our core missions whilst operating our business.
This year, we aim to create sustainable Corporate
Social Responsibility work in two main areas
that are more environmental and community
focused. Our CSR projects this year will be
under the concept, “Blue Heart – A Love to
Share” that represents the caring that we, the
Bangkok Airways management and staff, would
like to pass on to the environment and community
through our various CSR projects. This includes
our Love Samui – Save the Coconut Trees
project, the mangrove trees planning project
at Trat province, the Weir building projects in
Koh Samui and Lampang province, United for
Wildlife project, PG Edugether project, the
English Club with Bangkok Airways project
and much more,” added Mr. Puttipong.
Mr. Prote Setsuwan, Vice President –
Marketing, also announced the Bangkok
Airways marketing direction for 2019 stating
that, “Our marketing goal this year is to support
sales activities and increase sales volume
through various marketing activities and
campaigns that we plan to roll out throughout
the year. We plan to be more proactive in
terms of marketing this year by working more
closely with numerous online travel agencies
(OTAs) and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) from
around the world to build Bangkok Airways
brand awareness in the overseas markets.
Nevertheless, we will still support our Global
Sales Agents with attractive sales promotions
and marketing promotions.”
“We will use integrated strategies to help
elevate Bangkok Airways brand positioning in
both Thailand and the overseas markets. We will
continue exercising our Sports & Tourism
Marketing strategy in order to create and
strengthen our brand awareness with connections
to our sport fans. Some of our activity highlights
include a partnership with one of Europe’s most
anticipated football teams – Borussia Dortmund.
This partnership not only elevates the Bangkok
Airways brand at the international level, but it
also helps widen our customer base, especially
European travellers who are considered as one
of Bangkok Airways key markets. The Bangkok
Airways Boutique Series consisting of running
events will be held in 6 destinations throughout
Thailand which are; Krabi, Samui, Lampang,
Phuket, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. This year
we are honoured to work with Mr. Atsanai
Anankiri (aka Stupidnoobmac), a famous
cartoonist, to design running shirts and medals
for the whole series. In addition to that, we
will also offer special benefits to those who
purchase air tickets and travel on Bangkok
Airways flights to the races such as special
fares, complimentary entry fee for the race, a
special lane for running bib pick-ups and many
more. This year, we expect to have a total of
35,000 runners participating in our Bangkok
Airways Boutique Series 2019, which is about
40 per cent more than in 2018.”
“This year additionally, Bangkok Airways
will be sponsoring various sports and tourismrelated
events such as Le Tour De France in
Phang Nga province, the THAI FIGHT which
is seen as one of the most celebrated combat
events in the world, the Phuket Old Town
Festival, Chiang Rai International Balloon
Fiesta, Chiang Mai Songkran Festival and
Colour Moon Festival in Koh Phangan.”
“Bangkok Airways is currently an official
sponsor for 7 professional football teams in
Thailand, which are Chiang Rai United, Chiang
Mai FC, Sukhothai FC, Trat FC, Lampang FC,
Chiang Rai City FC, and Samui City FC in which
the first four teams are in the Thai Premier
League Division. These partnerships help
Bangkok Airways create new customer bases
as well as strengthen relationships between the
airline and local communities.”
“Apart from that, we will enhance our
partnership marketing strategy in order to
increase the company’s revenue. Some of our
plans include expanding partnerships with
credit card companies in Singapore, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia. We will
also work closely with government and private
sectors in CLMV countries to help promote
Thailand and South East Asian tourism.”
“This year, we will continue to focus on
building customer loyalty through various
tailored-made campaigns such as our Beyond
Flying campaign in which passengers can
present their boarding pass or FlyerBonus card
at more than 200 participating restaurants,
department stores, and beauty clinics nationwide
to receive special discounts. In addition to that,
we also plan to enhance our FlyerBonus
member experience by developing our systems
to be more accessible and easier for points
redemptions. Recently, we have joined hands
with one of Thailand’s largest credit card
companies – KTC and launched KTC-Bangkok
Airways credit cards with the hope to increase
members and to promote the Bangkok Airways
brand through KTC existing clients.”
“We are currently in the process of changing
our Passenger Services Systems (PSS) from
Sabre to Amadeus which is expected to be
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