TravTalk India Online Magazine
Nok Air, Thailand’s premium budget airline, has identified Mumbai as a key destination in its expansion strategy for India. Beginning 28 October, the airline plans to start new flights to Mumbai, reveals Ranon Viputsiri, Chief Commercial Officer, Nok Air.
Janice Alyosius
Thailand’s Nok Air plans to expand its India operations with the launch of eight weekly flights from Mumbai to Bangkok, effective 28 October this year. Nok Air began its Hyderabad operations on 21 February last year and flies four times a week to its hub Don Mueang in Bangkok. The airline aims to enhance its capacity, targeting a monthly total of over 13,000 seats and an average load factor exceeding 80 per cent.
India’s growing importance for Nok Air
Emphasising on the significance of India market for Nok Air, Ranon Viputsiri, Chief Commercial Officer, Nok Air, said, “India is a large market compared to many other countries, and there is substantial demand for travel from India to Thailand.” Currently, Nok Air operates four weekly flights between Hyderabad and Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport, with schedules that accommodate both leisure and business travellers. “The flight timings work well for both inbound and outbound traffic and offer great connectivity through Thailand’s gateway – Bangkok and more destinations, including Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai,” he added.
Nok Air operates with a capacity of 6,400 seats per month and a year-to-date average load factor of 78 per cent. “While the market is smaller compared to Mumbai, we are seeing steady growth, and we expect continued positive traction as awareness of the route increases,” Viputsiri said.
Why Mumbai?
Nok Air has ambitious plans for expansion in India. “Mumbai, being a key business and leisure hub, presents significant growth potential, and with strategic pricing and targeted marketing campaigns, we are confident about maintaining strong performance,” he added.
Tailoring products
Talking about the airline’s product offerings for Indian travellers, Viputsiri highlighted Nok Air’s evolution from a low-cost carrier to a premium budget airline. “We offer various fare types, such as Nok X-tra and Nok Max. Our most popular option, Nok Max, includes 30 kg of checked in baggage, seat selection, and a hot meal,” he said. In Nok X-tra, Nok Air stands out as the only airline offering a complimentary snack box and a water bottle, free of charge. The airline provides spacious legroom with wide seats, along with a 20 kg checked baggage allowance and the option for advanced seat selection.
Viputsiri said that Nok Air strives to provide a “true Thai cultural experience onboard”, offering spacious legroom and unique in-flight activities, such as giveaways and surprise events. By the end of the month, the airline will also launch complimentary in-flight entertainment, aligning with its slogan, “We Fly Smiles”.
Creating awareness
Viputsiri acknowledged the need for targeted marketing to raise awareness among Indian travellers. “As we launch Mumbai, we will focus on building brand recognition, both in India and Thailand to encourage outbound and inbound traffic,” he said.
Tapping into MICE market
India’s growing MICE market is another area of focus for Nok Air. “MICE is a significant market for us in India. We work closely with partners in sectors like hotels, restaurants, and tourism to meet the needs of MICE travellers,” Viputsini explained.
Looking ahead
Given the current demand, upcoming route expansions, and the airline’s dual focus on passenger and cargo traffic, Nok Air projects an overall average load factor of 80 per cent across its Indian network for the coming year, with plans to expand to additional gateways in India.
