Carrier Seeks Deal With Bangkok Airways On Siem Reap Flights
Thailand’s national airline, Thai Airways International, reportedly wants to set up a “code-sharing” deal with Bangkok Airways that could eventually mean more daily flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
The Bangkok daily newspaper, The Nation, Wednesday quoted a Thai Airways official as saying talks between the airlines began last week. Bangkok Airways officials in Phnom Penh, however, said they knew nothing about it.
“Code-sharing” is an industry term for a type of joint operating agreement between carriers.
If the deal does go through, it would mean passengers could buy Thai Airways tickets between Bangkok and Siem Reap—although they would be flying on Bangkok Airways’ planes.
Airlines like such arrangements because they allow carriers to offer customers one-stop shopping for more destinations.
In addition to the Siem Reap routes, The Nation said Thai Airways is hoping to extend the Bangkok Airways code-sharing deal to include Luang Prabang in Laos and Mandalay in Burma.
Bangkok Airways recently announced it will open an affiliate, Siem Reap Airways International, in Cambodia next month. The new airline will fly between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Bangkok Airways officials said Wednesday the inaugural flight will be on Nov 3, leaving Pochentong Airport at 6:55 am. Guests will be flown to Siem Reap, where they will tour the temples before attending a ceremonial luncheon at the Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
