TAA reshuffles operations as Chinese market takes a hitThai AirAsia (TAA), Thailand’s largest low-cost carrier, expects to lose some 300,000 Chinese passengers during the first quarter as flights to China make up 30% of its total revenue. The drop in demand from Chinese travellers stems from an order by the Chinese government to ban all outbound group tours from the country, which make up 35% of Chinese passengers on TAA, some 240,000-250,000 people. Another 80,000 Chinese tourists coming from chartered flights may be cancelled during first quarter. An effective tourism stimulus plan, focused on the Chinese market, must be implemented to maintain tourism momentum, he said. TAA suspended flights to Wuhan, which included two daily flights from Don Mueang airport and a daily flight from Phuket, until Feb 29.

Source: Bangkok Post January 28, 2020 11:37 UTC