DRMumbai: GoAir has started its international operations with its first flight between Delhi, Mumbai and Phuket. This service is also the first-ever direct flight from India to Phuket.
Speaking on the occasion, Jeh Wadia, CEO, GoAir, said, “With great pride and humility we announce that Phuket is our first international route. The level of interest from Indian travellers has been excellent. Thanks to Gulu Lalvani, who convinced me to open up Phuket to the Indian market, we are making Phuket as our Thailand hub. We already have routes from Mumbai and Delhi to Phuket, and by the end of next year, we will increase this to 10 cities flying direct to Phuket.”
“With the introduction of these flights, GoAir aims to amplify and replicate its domestic success story, redefining its fly smart experience and value proposition in the aviation industry,” he added.
Gulu Lalvani, Chairman, Royal Phuket Marina, said, “It is heartening to witness a direct connectivity between Phuket and India. I firmly believe that the new services offered by GoAir will greatly contribute to the growth of tourism of Thailand. We look forward to working together with GoAir towards our goal of establishing Phuket International Airport as the Gateway to Thailand.”
“We will also soon be flying into Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. Thailand is a big part of our international expansion, it is a destination popular with Indian travellers and Phuket is at the heart of that,” explained Wadia. “Ninety per cent of our fleet is new and within six months this will be 100 per cent. We placed an order for 164 planes and have taken delivery so far of 41. Our plans for Phuket and the region are big.”
“I see the first-ever direct flight from India to Phuket International Airport by GoAir as the ‘gateway to Thailand’, highlighting the enormous potential Phuket offers,” Lalwani said. “The upside for Phuket is clear and the potential is limitless. Key cities in India are connected by a four-hour flight and being the first mover in the market, I expect this route to be a huge success for GoAir. No doubt other Indian airlines will follow their lead.”
“India has the highest level of pollution in the world today and once Indian travellers realise they can go non-stop to the paradise island of Phuket, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Indian arrivals out number Chinese arrivals within three years.”
