For those needing another low cost option in Asia, Lion Air has opened a new subsidiary for business – Thai Lion Air.
The airline will be operating two aircraft to begin with, with a hub at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport.
The airline will operate three routes initially (two international, one domestic) from the 4th December 2013:
– Don Mueang to Chiang Mai
– Don Mueang to Jakarta
– Don Mueang to Kuala Lumpur
Timetables below:
Don Mueang – Chiang Mai SL8500 DEPART DMK 11:20 ARRIVE CNX 12:35 SL8502 DEPART DMK 15:40 ARRIVE CNX 16:55 SL8501 DEPART CNX 13:20 ARRIVE DMK 14:35 SL8503 DEPART CNX 17:35 ARRIVE DMK 18:50 Don Mueang – Jakarta SL8000 DEPART DMK 10:20 ARRIVE CGK 13:15 SL8002 DEPART DMK 19:35 ARRIVE CGK 23:10 SL8003 DEPART CGK 06:25 ARRIVE DMK 10:00 SL8001 DEPART CGK 14:40 ARRIVE DMK 18:15 Don Mueang – Kuala Lumpur SL8200 DEPART DMK 19:50 ARRIVE KUL 23:00 SL8201 DEPART KUL 07:55 ARRIVE DMK 09:05 Notes: All flights operate daily Flights commence 4th December 2014 with the following exceptions SL8000/8001 operates from 6th December 2013 SL8201 operates from 5th December 2013
Looking at the routes, there are some initial broadsides against Nok Air (Chiang Mai) and Air Asia (Kuala Lumpur), whilst providing connectivity with the rest of the Lion Air network via Jakarta.
Thai Lion Air will operate a fleet of Boeing 737-900ERs, with two in the start-up phase, growing to a fleet of 48 aircraft. The aircraft are configured with 215 seats though (akin to the rest of Lion Air’s 737-900ER fleet).
Booking for flights is open at http://www.lionair.co.th/
It’s another option for Asia, as low cost airlines continue to expand out in the region. Whilst most point travellers will stick to the traditional airlines, using low cost airlines like Lion Air, Air Asia, TigerAir and Jetstar do give some advantages if you need to position in and out of locations at a lower cost.
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